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Bridgeport honors first responders from Feb. 22 Bridgeport Suites fire and approves fire equipment purchases
Summary
At its May 13 meeting the Bridgeport Borough Council publicly recognized mutual-aid companies and local firefighters for rescues during a Feb. 22 building fire and approved three capital purchases for the fire department.
Bridgeport Borough Council on May 13 publicly recognized firefighters and mutual-aid partners for their response to the Feb. 22 fire at Bridgeport Suites and approved three capital purchases for the fire department.
The recognitions were presented by Chief Steve Wanzik of the Bridgeport Fire Department, who told the council that crews and mutual-aid partners evacuated “over a hundred residents” and treated several seriously injured people during the incident at 330 West Third Street. The council paused its agenda to present unit citations, merit awards and two valor awards to members of the department and mutual-aid companies for actions during the early-morning fire.
The council read a formal resolution recognizing Deputy Chief Michael Gallagher and Battalion Chief Christopher Gallagher with valor awards for lifesaving actions. The resolution states that on Feb. 22, 2025, the two officers “devised and quickly implemented a plan to remove the resident from the structure” and that “the firefighter's immediate action saved the life of the victim.” Merit awards were given to Justin Ficero, Zach Santiago and Robert Small; multiple mutual-aid companies also received unit citations.
Council members then considered three capital purchases requested by the fire department. Council approved: a thermal imaging unit from Whitmore Public Safety Group for $10,114; an industrial extractor from 3 Reverse Fire Equipments for $8,744; and an industrial dryer from Fire & Rescue Products for $9,595. Each purchase was moved, seconded and carried by voice vote.
Chief Wanzik and council members emphasized that the equipment upgrades follow needs identified during major incidents and routine operations; the thermal camera was described as a replacement for a decade-old unit and the extractor/dryer as part of improved turnout-gear cleaning and maintenance procedures.
The council's public recognition and the equipment authorizations were the only formal actions tied directly to the fire event during the meeting. No ordinances or grant approvals related to the fire response were enacted at the May 13 session.
The borough also used the meeting to thank mutual-aid partners by name; Chief Wanzik and council presenters invited representatives from agencies including Montgomery County Emergency Management and multiple local volunteer fire companies to accept citations in person. Bridgeport officials said the department will continue follow-up as needed on equipment delivery and any implementation steps required by the purchases.
