Paramedic Jeff Slotoroff and Mount Kisco Police Officer James Whalen were honored by Mount Kisco's Village Board of Trustees for their efforts to help people out of a burning house on Maple Avenue.

Mayor Michael Cindrich described the two as people "who ran towards danger and took action."

"Again, this is something that most are - learn from childhood: when there's danger you run away. There's a distinct and select class of people that have the ability and the inner strength to run towards the danger and help people, and that's who we're recognizing tonight," he said at the May 3 meeting.

Cindrich presented the two with certificates, and recounted their work in detail from reading a recent Journal News article about the fire.

Slotoroff happened to see smoke while driving down Maple Avenue, while returning from a 911 call. Whalen helped Slotoroff check the building, after police arrived subsequent to the paramedic initially helping to get people out.

Whalen said it felt great to be honored, and also to have his two children and wife with him. He also talked about his family's history of service in the village. His great-uncle Frank Whalen was a police detective, while his father and uncle each served in the fire department , as a commissioner and chief, respectively. 

Slotoroff's mother, father and twin brother came for the event, as did the Yorktown Fire Department, where Slotoroff volunteers. 

Slotoroff said it was an awesome experience, when asked about the night's event, and was glad that they recognized it. He also said, however, that he is a humble person, downplaying the hero role that has been given to him since the fire.