06/04/2026
We would like to congratulate Captain Nick Wuckovich and Captain Cameron Sunderland on this outstanding recognition.
Your dedication to the City and its residents does not go unnoticed. Thank you for your continued service, professionalism, and commitment to the community.
Job well done, gentlemen!
One year ago, our department responded to a house fire with reports of multiple children trapped.
What followed was a reminder of what this profession is truly about.
Our actions that day were never about awards, recognition, or headlines. They were about doing everything possible for people who were having the worst day of their lives.
Today, I am honored to share that Captain Nicholas Wuckovich III and I have been named the 2025 Michael O. McNamee Award of Valor Grand Prize Winners by Firehouse Magazine.
For those unfamiliar with the award, the Michael O. McNamee Award of Valor is one of the fire service’s most respected national recognitions. Named in honor of retired Worcester Fire Department District Chief Mike McNamee, the award recognizes extraordinary acts of courage, bravery, and decision-making during emergency incidents where lives are at stake. It serves to recognize firefighters whose actions exemplify the very best of our profession.
This recognition belongs to far more than the two names listed on the award. It belongs to every firefighter, police officer, EMS provider, dispatcher, instructor, family member, and mentor who played a role before, during, and after that incident.
Nick’s determination during an extremely dangerous search effort, along with the efforts of every member operating on that fireground, exemplify the courage, sacrifice, and commitment that firefighters demonstrate every day across this country.
While we are grateful for the recognition, we will never forget that the true focus remains the lives affected by that fire and the sacrifices made by everyone involved.
Thank you to Firehouse Magazine, the award committee, the Altoona Fire Department, and everyone who has offered support throughout the past year.
This award may bear our names, but it reflects the dedication, training, and sacrifice of countless firefighters who answer the call every day, often without recognition.
Train hard. Stay humble. Take care of each other.
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