Firefighter Edward Thomas of Engine Co. 9 died January 4, 1934.  He had responded to a two alarm fire at the Home Furniture Company 322 Lackawanna Ave., he was on a ground ladder operating a hose line into a third floor window in the front of the building. He was attempting to shut down the line when the hose kicked while in his grasp causing him to loose his balance and fall to the ground. 

(Courtesy of the Mark Boock Collection)

As a result of this tragedy ladder belts were purchased by the city and carried on each apparatus

In 1915 Firefighter Thomas along with four other firefighters and one police officer were presented with city Medal of Valor. He was attatched to Hook and Ladder Co. 1 and helped to rescue twenty victims of a hotel fire on Lackawanna Ave. According to research there have only been six firefighters given that honor.