Together Again! Binghamton Fire Dept. Receives PETA Award for Fourth of July Ducklings Rescue

For Immediate Release:
July 9, 2026

Contact:
Hannah Nelson 202-483-7382

Binghamton, N.Y. –

A Compassionate Fire Department Award is on its way from PETA to the Binghamton Fire Department after firefighters sprang into action to liberate eleven baby ducks who had fallen through the grates of a storm drain on the Fourth of July and reunite them with their anxious mother. The crew went into the drain and worked together to safely retrieve the ducklings and deliver them to their mother, who was anxiously pacing back and forth. “Sometimes serving our community means helping all of its residents—even the feathered ones!” the department shared on its Facebook page.

*A firefighter climbs into a storm drain to rescue the ducklings. Credit: Binghamton Fire Department*

“When these ducklings faced a scary ordeal inside a dark storm drain, these compassionate firefighters answered the call and gave everyone something to celebrate,” says PETA Founder Ingrid Newkirk. “PETA commends the Binghamton Fire Department for their kindness and quick action, and reminds everyone that we can all be heroes by stepping in to help when we see any animal in trouble.”

The Binghamton Fire Department will receive a framed certificate from PETA, along with delicious vegan chicken sandwiches, in recognition of their kindness to birds.

PETA—whose motto reads, in part, that “animals are not ours to abuse in any way”—points out that Every Animal Is Someone and offers free Empathy Kits for people who need a lesson in kindness. For more information, please visit PETA.org or follow PETA on X, Facebook, or Instagram.