TFD Bestows Medal Of Valor Awards For 5 Tacoma Firefighters

It is with great pride that the Tacoma Fire Department recognized five firefighters with the medal of valor award in a ceremony today.  The departments highest award, the medal of valor is given to firefighters who demonstrate:

• A conspicuous act of bravery and heroism in an extremely hazardous situation - above and beyond the call of duty
• By such action, the employee placed him/herself in imminent danger that probably would have resulted in great bodily injury or death
• The objective was of sufficient importance to justify the risk

The awards were given related to a tragic 2009 house fire incident, where crews rescued two occupants out a bedroom window and one occupant (who later passed away) down a narrow stairway with intense fire threatening their escape route.

Award Recipient's were:

Ben Flesher, Battalion Chief - 28 years of service

Alex Wilsie, Lieutenant - 15 years of service

Casey Novak, Lieutenant - 9 years of service

Richard Turley, Lieutenant - 12 years of service

Paul Purdy, Firefighter/Paramedic - 5 years of service