AMHERST, N.Y. (WKBW) — Getzville Fire Company Captain Chris Kaplewicz was recognized by the Amherst Town Board for his bravery in the line of duty after saving two people from a burning home on Radcliffe Drive last month.
This was a joint effort from various fire departments in the neighboring Northtowns of about a dozen agencies, including the Williamsville Fire Department and the Town of Amherst Emergency Services.
Kaplewicz was honored Monday night at a meeting I attended in the Town of Amherst. For Kaplewicz, he does not call himself a hero; it was just another day on the job doing what he was trained to do.
WATCH: Getzville fire captain honored for rescuing two people from burning home
"It was right by my house, literally, probably 10 houses down from my house." Kaplewicz said. "I pulled up and saw smoke coming over. They told me there was someone trapped in the house or still in the house. I didn't think anything about it. I put my gear on, and I went to the door."
"I don't feel like I'm a hero," Kaplewicz said. "I think this is the things that we do, and I think that everyone that would have pulled up would have done the same thing."
Sadly, one of the people he saved died from their injuries weeks after the fire, but these are scenarios the department trains for, sometimes three to four times a week.
"I didn't really expect this," Kaplewicz said. "We do a lot of things that we help people, save people, we don't get recognized. Things that we just were expected to do, we just do them."
Past Chief and Captain Darik Will said having someone like Kaplewicz on his team is like a breath of fresh air.
"This is a very rare moment for us. It's a big honor for the fire company in general, especially to Captain Kaplewicz," Will said. "This is one of the things that we don't really like to get accomplishments like this, but at the end of the day, we know we did the job and we did the job right."
The recognition comes as volunteer firefighter roles are currently hard to fill.
"We need more people...we're short," Kaplewicz said. "During the day, I was pretty much by myself until one of our assistant chiefs came and helped me out. Anyone that wants to volunteer should, should come and volunteer. We really need the help."
There are roles available for those who would like to become volunteer firefighters for the Getzville Fire Company. Training is free, and volunteers receive a stipend after completing it. Information on how to sign up can be found here.
