By Miranda Vagg/Journal-Register Contributor
HOLLEY — Actions speak louder than words in emergency situations.
Four men received honors Tuesday night for their efforts in rescuing victims of a fatal car accident on July 16.
Lt. Michael Szymanski never expected to be called a hero for his efforts in the rescue.
“It’s an exceptional honor. I share this with everyone who goes when the bell rings,” he said.
Szymanski was one of four men who risked his life to try and save another. Szymanski and former fire chief Francis M. Gaylord were first responders from the Holley Fire Department at the scene of the accident at Lynch Road and Hulberton Road.
Already at the scene were two neighbors. Randall Piedmonte and Jack Wannenwetsh went above and beyond their duties as residents.
“There’s no time to think. You just act,” Wannenwetsh said.
He and Piedmonte pulled James F. Pruner, 53, of Kendall from his burning vehicle in an attempt to save his life.
Pruner later passed away at Strong Memorial Hospital in Rochester.
For their heroic efforts, village officials were asked to recognize the acts of the four men who put their lives on the line.
“It’ll always be fresh in our minds,” Gaylord said.
As firefighters, Gaylord and Szymanski, along with other members of the department, never know what type of situation they will be walking into when they respond to a call.
What they do know is that it takes guts, training and instinct to do the job that they do.
“We never know when we get to a call how bad it is,” Gaylord said.
In honor of their actions, Gaylord, Szymanski, Wannenwetsh and Piedmonte were given framed photographs of Pruner by a friend of the family.
Many heartfelt thanks came from Pruner’s family and the photo is a way for his rescuers to know what he looked like before the accident ultimately took his life.
Current Fire Chief Roland Nenni expressed a feeling of comfort at living in a community where some rise to the call of duty to save another.
Part of that call of duty is knowing when to take action, whether that call is as a firefighter or a civilian.
Though they are not members of the fire department, Wannenwetsh and Piedmonte demonstrated the courage needed to help someone in an emergency situation.
Along with Gaylord and Szymanski, they have been honored by their community for the heroic actions they made.
“Sometimes we don’t think,” Gaylord said. “We just react.”
