Capt. James P. Ellson, of Rescue Co. No. 3, returns to his seat after receiving the Honor Legion Medal for carrying an unconscious and severely burned teenager out of a burning Bronx building.  Photo: J.B. NICHOLAS/METRO

That’s why they’re called New York’s Bravest.

Fifty firefighters and paramedics were honored for heroism yesterday at the FDNY’s annual Medal Day ceremony.
 

Bleachers were packed with family and co-workers bursting with pride. “We love you, man,” someone shouted as Anthony Romano collected the highest honor.
 

Last February, Romano’s company pulled up to a burning house in Richmond Hill and learned another firefighter was trapped inside. The only entry point was a tiny window on a steep roof. Romano climbed into the billowing smoke and hoisted the injured firefighter out the window seconds before the room was engulfed in flames. “I did what any fireman would do,” said Romano, 28.
 

One story after another had first responders racing into blazing buildings, catching babies and saving people from drowning. “It sounds like I’m talking about a group of Hollywood superheroes,” marveled Mayor Michael Bloomberg.

Lieutenant Michael Lyons stood quietly in back, waiting for his family. Last summer he saved an 80-year-old woman from a burning Harlem tenement and then went back in to look for more survivors.
 

“I think my wife gets a little worried, but she knows I do what I love,” said Lyons, 40.
 

Another firefighter slapped him on the back. “I was with you when you grabbed that dangling guy in Bay Ridge,” the man said. Lyons only smiled. “That’s another story,” he said.