Four members of the Adams Area Fire District in Pennsylvania received the 2011 Fireslayer of the Year Award for their rescue of Mike Rupert, MSA’s product group manager for first-responder products.

Chief Al Minjock, Lt. Talo Capuzzi, Lt. Doug Mellinger, and Firefighter Jeff Leonberg received the award at a special ceremony at FDIC.

Rupert was driving last May to work at MSA’s Cranberry Township headquarters when a pickup truck crossed the double yellow line and hit his vehicle head on. Rupert was trapped inside as the vehicle burst into flames. He suffered burns over 80% of his body.

MSA established the Fireslayer of the Year Award in 2000 to honor the outstanding achievements by individual firefighters and departments who serve as role models for others.