PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — A second-year Philadelphia firefighter is honored for an act of heroism he performed while he was off the clock.
Joseph Rippert was off-duty earlier this year when he rescued a man from a burning house in Roxborough, and after that rescue, he stayed around to help companies carry the hose line to put the fire out.
"If it wasn't for all the training that they put us through, and the firefighters that have come before me and learned the different things, that night could have turned out differently," he said.
Rippert was recognized for his lifesaving efforts by being named Philadelphia firefighter of the Year.
"It's just an honor, you know, I'm kind of speechless to tell you the truth," Rippert said.
Rippert says he treated that night just like he would have if he were at the firehouse.
"You don't really think about it. The call comes through and you just put your training into use."
Today we honored Firefighter of the Year Joseph Rippert for bravely running into a burning home -- twice -- to save his neighbor. Read more ➡️ https://t.co/tS0NIVeoiO pic.twitter.com/yZOtoj8GxM
— Philadelphia Fire (@PhillyFireDept) October 23, 2019He's looking forward to a long career with the department.
"I just hope I can walk away and people say, 'you know Rippert, he was a good fireman.' Right now I just want to learn my job and learn to be the best fireman I can be," he added.
