Firefighters From Clackamas Fire District #1 Receive International Award For Heroism (Photo) -07/31/18

Clackamas Fire District #1 will receive the 2018 International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC)/Motorola Solutions Ben Franklin Award for Valor. This year’s winners are Captain Kyle Olson, Apparatus Operator Andrew Brian, Firefighter Scott Kohler, and Firefighter Matt Towner from Clackamas Fire’s Mt. Scott Station 5. The crew will be recognized for their heroic efforts as they rescued 62-year-old, Dea Hammons, trapped on the second floor of a residential structure fire on Sept. 6, 2017.     

Presented annually at the Fire-Rescue International (FRI) by the IAFC and Motorola Solutions, the Ben Franklin Award for Valor honors a firefighter for his or her expert training, professional service, and dedication to the duty displayed in the saving of a human life. The program is more than that, as it helps raise public awareness and support for the fire and emergency service. FRI is the largest annual gathering of fire and emergency service leaders in the world. Medals will be presented at the FRI conference on Aug. 9, 2018 in Dallas, Texas.

Chief Fred Charlton said, “It is truly an honor for Clackamas Fire, for these courageous firefighters, and for the communities we serve to be honored with such a prestigious award. This recognition speaks to the thousands of hours all of our firefighters spend training, the investment we made in tools, equipment and technology, and the full-support of the department.”

Firefighters from Heavy Rescue 305 (Mt. Scott Station 5) were dispatched to a residential fire, less than .2 miles away from their station on Sept. 6, 2017. Arriving on scene to a two-story home with fire visible from the street. Firefighters Kohler and Towner were met by two female occupants, who escaped the fire, and stated their friend, Hammons, was still inside. Olson and Brian attempted entry through the same exterior door entered by Kohler and Towner. Facing adverse conditions of extremely high heat and falling ceiling debris, they were forced back out. Olson and Brian looked for another means of entry and attempted entry to the second floor on another side, but found no viable access.

Kohler and Towner made entry to the second floor, and located Hammons in the bedroom. Flames were rolling across the ceiling, there was no other way out but through the window. Kohler used his bail out device, hung just under the windowsill and Towner placed Hammons out the window onto Kohler’s lap. Towner bailed out the window and helped shield Hammons from the fire. Brian climbed the ladder to assist the Hammons down the ladder. She was transported to a local burn center for treatment. In less than 10 minutes, Heavy Rescue 305 was dispatched to the scene and were safely out of the building with Hammons.  

Since 1970, the Ben Franklin Award for Valor award has recognized the spirit of service, courage, and heroism that is a proud tradition among the world’s fire and emergency service. The award is named after Benjamin Franklin, the nation’s first fire chief, and is the most prestigious honor presented by the IAFC. An inventor, statesman, and humanitarian, Mr. Franklin was a prime contributor to the wealth of tradition that symbolizes the fire and emergency service worldwide.

Awards received: Medal of Honor from Clackamas Fire District #1 at their annual awards and recognition banquet, Feb. 2, 2018; First Responder Hero award from the American Red Cross 21st Annual Heroes Breakfast, Feb. 21, 2018; Medal of Honor from the Oregon Fire Chiefs Association, May 10, 2018; and Ben Franklin Award for Valor from IAFC, Aug. 9, 2018.

Photo credit: Photo courtesy of Clackamas Fire District #1 Lieutenant Ryan Patrick, pictured from left to right: Firefighter Matt Towner, Apparatus Operator Andrew Brian, Captain Kyle Olson, and Firefighter Scott Kohler.

                                                                                             ###