'It's neighbors helping neighbors': FASNY holds 152nd convention in Niagara Falls

NIAGARA FALLS, N.Y. (WIVB) -- This week, the Firefighters Association of the State of New York's 152nd convention is connecting heroes in Niagara Falls.

"It's a great opportunity for people to come together, volunteer firefighters, network with one another, and to help show the value of the volunteer firefighter service and recruit new volunteer firefighters at the same time," said FASNY president Edward Tase, Jr.

Forty thousand members of the association help gear up and save lives every day throughout the state. And this year, they're honoring a hero who saved the lives of two of his comrades.

On April 1, 2023, Lt. Petros Mestheneas with Freeport Fire on Long Island, responded to a call for an ambulance on fire in a 30,000-square-foot building. It went from OK to horrific fast.

One ambulance exploded, which led to others also catching fire. He says two firefighters were far into the building, got disorientated, lost and were running out of air when they called Mayday. Knowing the building from previous calls, he crawled around on his stomach until he found them both.

Mestheneas was named this year's Firefighter of the Year, and received the Medal of Valor for his actions.

"When it's a firefighter, it's all bets are off," Mestheneas said. "When a firefighter calls a Mayday or is in trouble, there's no way you're shutting it down, there's no way you're stopping any of these firemen, there's no option, you're going in and bringing them out, or you're going in and you're going to die trying. You're not coming out without him."

"Lt. Mestheneas, he embodies all that is right and good about the fire service in this country," Freeport Fire Director Ray Maguire said.

"The key part of the whole thing is what he did, and the people that the two gentlemen that he saved that day. They didn't give up their fire service," Tase Jr. said. "They continue to serve today."