A 41-year-old New York City firefighter is the latest winner of the top $1 million prize in the CBS "Survivor: Palau" reality TV series.

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After the votes were counted in the two-hour live conclusion Sunday night, Tom Westman, a lieutenant with Ladder Company 108 in Brooklyn said he believes he won simply by being himself based on what he has learned as a firefighter -- survival and teamwork.

Westman beat out 19 other initial contestants, the most to start a "Survivor" edition, with "Palau" being the 10th installment of the series, USA Today said.

Westman's competition in the final vote was radio advertising saleswoman Katie Gallagher from Merced, Calif., who received $100,000 as the runner-up.