Chicago Firefighter Larry McCormack received the Ray Downey Courage and Valor Award Thursday at the FDIC in Indianapolis.
From Fire Engineering:
Saving a fellow firefighter from a well-involved attic fire at great risk to personal safety earned Chicago Firefighter Larry McCormack the 2012 Ray Downey Courage and Valor Award and a $35,000 check, presented Tuesday morning at the Fire Department Instructors Conference.
McCormack, who is a 16-year veteran of the fire service, responded to a structure fire on Aug. 25, 2011 and was assisting in a search of the two-story residential building.
An order to evacuate was given due to deteriorating fire conditions. During the evacuation, a firefighter left the protection of a hose line and became disorientated. He then lost his helmet and the netting on his SCBA mask melted and the mask became dislodged.
McCormack decided to go back upstairs and look for his brother firefighter, and succeeded in doing so by keying in on his activated PASS device.
The Ray Downey Courage and Valor Award is given to remember the life and career achievements of FDNY Deputy Chief Ray Downey who died while commanding rescue operations at the World Trade Center attacks on Sept. 11, 2001. Deputy Downey was a 39-year veteran of FDNY and the most highly decorated firefighter in the department’s history. Coincidentally, McCormack was also a member of the FDNY between 2004 and 2006 before joining the Chicago Fire Department in 2007.
See the complete article HERE.
