Firefighter Nicholas DiGiacomo of Miami-Dade Fire Rescue received the 2009 International Benjamin Franklin Fire Service Award for Valor, co-sponsored by the International Association of Fire Chiefs and Motorola.

Now in its 40th year, the award is the highest honor bestowed on an individual by the IAFC. It recognizes firefighters around the world for their heroism, expert training, leadership and safe practices.

On March 31, 2008, Miami-Dade Fire Rescue responded to a call from the Coast Guard reporting a fire at the Miami Beach Marina. Heavy flames were engulfing two yachts, with radiant heat and smoke threatening a third.

As Fireboat 1 began its water assault on the side of the vessels, screams were heard from one of the yachts. Moving toward its bow, the crew saw hands frantically signaling from a porthole.
Two people were holed up in a bathroom below the main deck, running the shower to shield themselves from the heat and gasping for air through the porthole.

DiGiacomo and his officer in charge leapt aboard a private fishing boat that pulled alongside — the only vessel that could get close enough. Using a chainsaw and K-12 saw, they worked to open the fiberglass hull.

DiGiacomo immediately removed his mask and passed it through the porthole. He told the victims to breathe through it and share it. He then threaded a hose through the porthole and instructed them to use it to suppress the fire that was threatening their refuge.

Fire consumed the yacht. It began to sink and its portholes dipped dangerously close to the water line. Even worse, the victims had emptied the air bottle and their safe refuge was filling with boiling water. As they crouched on top of the bathroom vanity, DiGiacomo hooked up a second bottle so they could breathe. After a long 40 minutes, the hull was breached and he pulled both victims to safety.