Firefighters don't earn accolades for lounging around. They receive them for their unmatched bravery. Whether charging into blazing infernos, rescuing children from towering buildings, rappelling down roofs like ninjas, or taking on a variety of dangerous tasks, they are the epitome of courage in action.
This list highlights real-life firefighters who surpassed expectations and went far beyond their duties. From jumping out of planes, leading groups to safety, to participating in covert operations, their extraordinary feats are worthy of Hollywood blockbusters. Many of these heroes ignored their own injuries to protect and save others.
10. Deanne Shulman—Pioneering Female Smokejumper

Elite firefighter units known as “hotshot” crews are specially trained to fight fires in remote locations with minimal support. Often compared to Special Forces, these teams are among the most highly skilled in the nation. Smokejumpers, who play a crucial role in tackling the increasing number of wildfires across the US, are dispatched to fires that are difficult to reach, rapidly spreading, or have unpredictable patterns. These brave firefighters parachute out of functioning planes, carrying gear that can weigh over 45 kilograms (100 lbs), and serve as vital on-the-ground coordinators.
In 1981, Deanne Shulman became a rookie smokejumper, 40 years after the first experimental smokejumper made his daring jump into a fire. Despite passing the tough selection course in 1979, she didn’t make it through training due to not meeting the height and weight standards of the time—she was only 2.3 kilograms (5 lbs) shy of the minimum weight requirement.
Shulman broke down the barriers for women in male-dominated fields. By 2013, over 400 smokejumpers were active, with 27 of them being women. As this number continues to grow, Shulman will be remembered for defying the odds to prove that women are just as capable as their male counterparts in such a physically demanding profession.
9. Stuart Roosa—The Man Behind the Moon Trees

Stuart Roosa, much like any astronaut, was driven by a passion for risk and adventure. Before his time at NASA, Roosa worked as a smokejumper with the Forest Service, tackling fires across California and Oregon. His career then took him to the United States Air Force as a test pilot before joining NASA's elite team of astronauts.
In 1971, as a tribute to his past as a smokejumper, Roosa carried a variety of tree seeds aboard the Kitty Hawk during the Apollo 14 mission to the Moon. While he didn’t plant the seeds on the Moon, they survived the harsh conditions of space and are now thriving near Kennedy Space Center.
Second-generation Moon Trees were later planted near the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery to honor Stuart Roosa, who passed away in 1994. These Moon Trees symbolize the incredible bravery of those who participated in the historic mission to land on the Moon.
8. Bill Heenan—Caught A Falling Child With One Hand

Bill Heenan likely received countless accolades from Chicago Bears wide receivers after he saved a young girl's life with a one-handed catch when she jumped from a sixth-story window. In 1996, a ten-story apartment building in downtown Chicago was engulfed in flames, with smoke pouring through every crack. As the fire grew more intense, residents trapped on the upper floors began jumping to avoid being consumed by the flames.
Few made it through the brutal impact with the ground.
Heenan, positioned five stories up on the ladder of one of the department's fire trucks, stood near a window when he saw an eight-year-old girl emerge from the thick black smoke. She leaped towards him but missed the ladder. In a later interview, Heenan revealed that he simply extended his arm, hoping to reach her. Against all odds, he caught the 36-kilogram (80 lb) child with one arm and carefully lowered her to safety.
And to think, all those movie scenes where someone is caught mid-air were once thought to be impossible...
7. Smokejumpers Secretly Recruited By The CIA

Bound by secrecy, many of the smokejumpers who worked with the CIA in the early 1960s were unable to share details of their missions with their families. They couldn't reveal their destinations or the nature of their work. Yet, for David Bevan, Darrell Eubanks, and John Lewis, the call to serve their country overseas was one they accepted without hesitation.
The CIA established the Air America Program, recruiting both active and former smokejumpers to apply their expertise as elite firefighters in clandestine operations. It wasn’t until May 2017 that these three men were finally acknowledged for their heroic contributions to the CIA, where they participated in a secret war in Laos. They were commended for their service before tragically dying in a plane crash in 1961.
To earn a star on the CIA’s Memorial Wall, one must sacrifice their life while on active duty. However, many names on the wall remain classified, as the individuals’ identities have not been publicly revealed. As of now, there are 125 stars adorning the Memorial Wall.
6. Steve Buscemi—Joined the Recovery Efforts at Ground Zero Shortly After 9/11

Steve Buscemi is known for his unassuming nature in Hollywood. He starred in renowned films such as Reservoir Dogs, Fargo, Monsters, Inc., Billy Madison, and The Big Lebowski, to name just a few. Before his acting career took off, Buscemi served in Engine 55 in Little Italy, New York City, for four years before fully committing to his passion for acting.
When the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks occurred, Buscemi returned to his former firehouse and volunteered his time at Ground Zero. What sets Buscemi apart is his refusal to seek attention or photos. He wasn’t there for the spotlight, but out of respect for his fallen brothers and sisters who perished that tragic day.
Buscemi actively supports several 9/11-related charities, such as Friends of Firefighters, an organization dedicated to providing wellness services to both active and retired firefighters and their families. During an interview at one of these charity events, he remarked, “Firefighters are amazing at helping others, but they often hesitate to ask for help when they need it themselves.”
Buscemi continues to pursue his love for acting while also staying dedicated to supporting the firefighter community, which remains close to his heart.
5. Gary Dahlen—Saved Trapped Wildland Firefighters

After years of flying helicopters to battle wildfires, Gary Dahlen's worst fear became a reality on September 15, 2014. The situation eerily mirrored the tragic events of the previous year, when 19 members of the Prescott Granite Mountain Hotshots lost their lives after deploying their fire shelters. Fire shelters serve as a last-ditch effort for survival when firefighters are trapped by flames. When Dahlen received the call in September 2014 at his base in California, he was given GPS coordinates to what would become known as the King Fire in Arizona.
Dahlen felt his heart sink as the information slowly came through.
He knew he had only moments to fly in and drop water to suppress the rapidly advancing flames threatening to engulf 12 firefighters exposed in the open. After what seemed like an endless flight, he spotted the faint outlines of fire shelters deployed on the ground. Desperately, he radioed the fire captain, hoping they could hear him. Incredibly, they did.
Dahlen understood that his water drop would do little to halt the 30-meter (100 ft) wall of flames racing toward the men. In search of a solution, he noticed a clearing about 180 meters (600 ft) to the north, which appeared to be their only chance of survival. Dahlen immediately radioed the captain, warning them that they had no more than three minutes to run for their lives.
The 12 firefighters emerged from their shelters, wrapped the protective covers around their bodies, and sprinted toward the clearing. As they ran, they looked up to see a yellow helicopter hovering above, guiding them to safety. All 12 men managed to escape, and at the end of their perilous journey stood a pilot by a yellow helicopter, ready to welcome them as they narrowly escaped death.
4. Jason Durbin—Rescued A Woman Trapped 28 Floors Above

In 2009, while working as a private ambulance driver in Chicago, firefighter Jason Durbin noticed smoke rising from the top of a building. Unsure whether it was steam or smoke, he drew closer and saw flames through a window. Without hesitation, he charged into the building and began climbing the stairs to the 28th floor, unprotected by any firefighting gear. Along the way, he encountered a man carrying a baby, who said he thought his neighbor might be in danger.
Durbin reached the door, took a few deep breaths, and crawled quickly inside, searching for the missing woman. Amid the chaos, he accidentally kneed her, then scooped her up and carried her over his shoulder, sprinting back down the 28 flights of stairs.
While most people might take the elevator, Durbin didn’t hesitate. His selfless act of courage, performed in the blink of an eye, saved the life of a woman who likely wouldn't have survived if other firefighters had arrived later. Durbin was awarded a Firehouse Heroism Award in 2010 for this, his first-ever rescue.
3. Eddie Loder—The Most Decorated Firefighter In Boston Fire Department History

In 1987, Edward T. Loder, a member of the elite Rescue Company 1 of the Boston Fire Department, earned the Roll of Merit after he and his team rappelled down an elevator shaft to rescue two men trapped between the fifth and eighth floors. They managed to squeeze the maintenance workers through a gap no bigger than 0.6 meters (2 ft) square.
Three years later, Loder was honored with the Walter Scott Medal for Valor for a rescue so daring it could have been dismissed as fictional if depicted in a movie. A woman threatened to leap from the Ritz-Carlton Hotel’s windowsill, 55 meters (180 ft) above the street. After two hours of failed negotiations, Loder attached his rappel system, descended just out of her sight, and, with a powerful push, kicked the woman into the hotel room using his feet.
Loder continued to add to his legendary career, earning the Roll of Merit three more times in 1993, 1998, and 2001.
2. Jack Pritchard—The Most Decorated Firefighter in FDNY History

How does one begin the tale of the most decorated firefighter in the history of the New York City Fire Department? The title alone commands respect, especially when considering the acts of courage showcased in this list. Let’s start by acknowledging that Jack Pritchard wasn’t impervious to fire, although his actions often suggested otherwise. Early in his career, he saved a child with mental disabilities trapped on the third floor of a burning building. Without an oxygen mask, he rushed into the perilous situation, covering the child with his jacket and leaping to the first floor. His fellow firefighters doused them with water as they were quickly taken to the hospital's burn unit.
Pritchard went on to lead his own unit, holding his team to the highest of standards. Rescue 2, the elite unit he commanded, specialized in entering burning buildings to rescue any life trapped inside. In 1992, he took action without waiting for orders, entering a building to find a man ablaze in his bed. He extinguished the flames and single-handedly dragged the man out of the building. In 1998, Pritchard once again put his life on the line when he learned a baby was left alone in her crib during a fire.
As expected, Pritchard was the first to volunteer. He found the baby alive in her crib but realized he couldn’t pick her up without causing more harm. Instead, he grabbed the entire crib with his bare hands, enduring severe burns from the melting crib as he carried it outside to safety. For his extraordinary bravery, Pritchard received his second Bennett Medal, the highest award for valor in the New York City Fire Department.
Pritchard retired in 1999 and is widely regarded as one of the finest firefighters to have ever served.
1. Peter Demontreux—Rushed Through Flames to Save a Man

Peter Demontreux, a firefighter with the New York City Fire Department, responded to a devastating structure fire in Brooklyn in 2010. The blaze was so intense that the heat sensor on his suit began to melt. Amidst the thick smoke and blinding heat, he heard a man screaming for help near a window but couldn’t find a clear path to reach him. With every step through the zero-visibility flames, the temperature seemed to climb even higher.
Crawling on his hands and knees through the kitchen, Demontreux finally spotted the man, half of his body hanging out of the window, gasping for air. Demontreux seized the man and later recalled, 'He was at my left side; we go to the front room, and the whole thing turns orange. It was like someone turned the lights on.'
The inferno, with temperatures reaching an intense 1,000 degrees, was so fierce that Demontreux’s protective bunker coat could barely shield him from the heat. He moved as fast as possible, even as the flames scorched his body. He later described the sensation of his face burning as akin to being jabbed with needles. Despite the agony, Demontreux managed to get the man to the window, onto a ladder, and into an ambulance that sped him to the hospital. The man endured second-degree burns on 40 percent of his body but survived.
For his heroic actions, Demontreux was awarded the Public Safety Officer Medal of Valor by Vice President Biden at the White House.