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York City honors Edison Street rescue crews, promotes officers and names Firefighter of the Year
Summary
At a promotion and awards ceremony, York City recognized dispatchers, EMS crews and multiple fire teams for a December 26, 2025 Edison Street rescue that saved two residents; the city also swore in several promoted officers and named Lieutenant Christopher McCulla the 2025 Firefighter of the Year.
York City officials onstage at a promotion and awards ceremony credited coordinated action across York County 911, the City of York Department of Fire Rescue Services and UPMC Community Life Team EMS for rescuing two residents from a structure fire on Edison Street on Dec. 26, 2025. The presenter said the call, received at 03:42 hours, was upgraded to a structure fire with entrapment and that EMS practitioners achieved return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) for both patients after transfer of care.
The ceremony presented letters of commendation to York County 911 dispatchers Bob Berry and Sarah Dieter and to named EMS members from UPMC Community Life Team (including Paramedic Andrew Gardner, EMT Tyler Cooper, Captain Ronald Sheldon and others) for their roles in the response. The department also awarded a unit citation to city fire personnel (Captain Clifton Frederick, Lieutenant Mark Pretz, Firefighters Connor Caruso, Hunter Lewis, Ethan Six, Michael Young) and chief’s commendations to two additional teams for search and extrication efforts that included a bedroom window removal and ladder operations.
Mayor Sandy Walker praised the responders, saying the night’s "skill, training, and teamwork" demonstrated what happens when multiple parts of the 911 system rise to the moment. The mayor also congratulated the 28 honorees at the event.
The ceremony included the swearing in and pinning of promoted officers: Lieutenant Nathan Huggins (career since 2019, company officer of D Platoon), Lieutenant Chris McCollough (hired 2019; president of the York Professional Firefighters Association), Captain Michael Zailer (veteran, GIS and emergency management background) and Chief Adam Smith (career promotions and credentials). Each repeated the oath of office onstage.
The department announced its 2025 Firefighter of the Year as Lieutenant Christopher McCulla, citing his leadership in station renovation logistics, volunteer union work, training achievements and a critical trench cut at a February 2025 fire on East Cottage Place that likely prevented further structure damage. McCulla, accepting the award, thanked colleagues and emphasized teamwork: "I was not anticipating this ... I'm incredibly humble and I really appreciate all the guys in the department that selected me," he said.
The presenter closed the ceremony and announced the department’s 150th annual memorial service will be held Sunday, May 3 at Union Lutheran Church's East Campus at 6:00 p.m.
