October 02, 2008 | 12:03 PM
City firefighter Lieutenant James Congema of Smithtown received Monday the state Senate Liberty Medal for his heroic role in a 2007 Bronx fire rescue. Congema, a 10-year veteran of the FDNY, helped save five members of the Ramos family.

Along with two other firefighters, Congema entered a burning building in the Parkchester section of the Bronx and found two unconscious occupants by the doorway. As his two colleagues pulled them to safety, Congema crawled through the fire on his hands and knees to search for other victims. Amid the smoke and flames, he came upon two more victims which his partners also took to safety while Congema continued to his search. In a second bedroom, he found a young girl and personally carried her to safety.

To present the Liberty Medal, state Senator John Flanagan (R-East Northport) invited the entire Congema family to his office. Joining Congema at the event were his wife Deanne, his three children, his mother, Kathy, and his father, Frank.

The Liberty Medal, created in 2000, is one of the highest civilian honors that a New York resident can receive. It is awarded by the state Senate to individuals who have merited special commendation for exceptional, heroic or humanitarian acts and achievements on behalf of their fellow New Yorkers.

Congema "is a great example of the bravery that our first responders display every day and I am proud to honor him with this medal," Flanagan said. "A complete family is alive and together today due to his actions and he is a true hero. … He deserves our gratitude for putting his life on the line to save others every day."