Medal of Valor is awarded to a sworn member of the Department who has demonstrated bravery at great personal risk to his or her own life, beyond a doubt and clearly above the call of duty, whether on or off duty.Medal of Merit is awarded to a sworn member, distinguished by performing an act where if not taken, would have resulted in serious injury or present imminent danger to life. The member must have demonstrated a conspicuous act of bravery with calculated personal risk to his or her own life.
Letter of Special Commendation is awarded to any department member who has performed an act during emergency or non-emergency conditions requiring initiative and / or ability worthy of recognition.
Lifetime Achievement Award is given to a retired sworn member of the department who exemplifies the true spirit of “Service to the Community” through his or her actions while on active duty and as a retired member.
Each award was based on an extraordinary and brave story. Let us share with you just two stories of which this years 'Medal of Valor' awards were based...
MEDAL OF VALOR: Firefighter David Mack and MEDAL OF MERIT: Firefighter Casey Glynn for a Structure Fire/Life Saved Incident...
Firefighter David Mack and Firefighter Casey Glynn were on a rescue ambulance, dispatched to a structure fire in a single-family home on 55th Street. Rescue 866 was the first and only fire department resource on scene. A fire was showing from the living room. Firefighter Mack and Firefighter Glynn were informed by the dispatcher that an occupant was on the phone, trapped inside the house in a bedroom closet.
Firefighter Glynn put on his protective equipment and attempted forcible entry on the rear door. Firefighter Mack forced entry on the front door, and encountered heavy smoke and fire in the living room. He grabbed a garden hose from the yard and began to extinguish the fire in the living room. After the main body of the fire was partially extinguished, Firefighter Mack entered and initiated a search of the structure.
He crawled past the fire room. He began to search the bedroom, including the closet. After failing to find anyone, he crawled toward the rear of the house and located another bedroom, which he searched. He opened the closet door and found the trapped occupant, who had lost consciousness. Firefighter Mack removed his mask and provided air to the downed occupant. He lifted and carried her out of the house to safety with the assistance of Firefighter Glynn who had gained entry from the rear of the house.
As they exited the house, additional personnel arrived on the scene. The rescued victim was transported to the hospital and survived this near-tragic event. If it were not for the persistent and courageous actions of Firefighter David Mack and the prompt response and teamwork of both firefighters, this victim may not have survived.
MEDAL OF VALOR: Firefighter Jesse Franco and Firefighter Kendal Koneval on the MetroLink Train Derailment Incident.On September 12, 2008 a freight train crashed head-on with a Metrolink train, causing derailment, fire, deaths and injuries.
When Task Force 87 arrived at the accident site, there were more than 1,000 gallons of fuel and oil on the ground and burning. While others handled extrication of passengers, Firefighters Koneval and Franco were assigned to fire attack.
Firefighters Koneval and Franco advanced a hose line to the freight locomotive which was engulfed in fire. While fighting the fire, they heard pounding from inside the locomotive. Firefighter Koneval saw that there were people in the locomotive and attempted to remove them. He used his axe, attempting to remove the windshield from the overturned locomotive. He was able to open a softball-sized hole in the windshield. This hole showed acrid pressurized smoke. Firefighter Koneval obtained a rotary saw to cut away further at the windshield. Firefighter Franco stepped in to continue the work of removing the windshield. Both firefighters opened the window and told the train engineer to “kick like your life depends on it.”
With this effort, the engineer was able to kick open the window and get out. He reported that his associate was still in the locomotive and needed to be rescued. Without hesitation, Firefighters Koneval and Franco entered the locomotive through the hole they had just cut. It was too small to get through with breathing bottles on, so they both removed the protection of their air bottles, and entered the burning locomotive. The smoke was acrid and banked down inside the train. They traveled fifteen feet in search of the other engineer, found him, and pulled him to safety. If not for the actions of these firefighters, the engineers surely would have perished.Congratulations to each outstanding LAFD member awarded and thank you for your acts of bravery and courage!
Submitted by Erik Scott, Spokesman
Los Angeles Fire Department
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