Updated at 9:00 a.m., Thursday, April 5, 2007
Brothers to be awarded Civilian Medals of Valor
Advertiser Staff
Two brothers who rescued a woman from her burning house in Kuli'ou'ou this past October will be awarded Civilian Medals of Valor at a Honolulu Fire Department awards ceremony this morning.
The ceremony will be held at HFD headquarters Auditorium at 9 a.m.
According to an HFD news release, Harris and Peter Phengvath entered a burning home on Oct. 15 to pull an elderly neighbor to safety. They then fought the fire with a garden hose until HFD arrived. The Civilian Medal of Valor is given to members of the public who distinguish themselves by means of outstanding bravery and at the risk of their own safety.
Also recognized at today's ceremony with Certificates of Commendation will be two civilians who helped a swimmer in distress, a city worker who assisted an injured woman; an organization whose aid helped protect the environment; and two fire fighters who distinguished themselves through exceptional performance of duty.
The honorees:
Daniel Dorn and Daniel Zimbra assisted in the rescue of a swimmer off of Kaiser's surf break on Aug. 4, 2006. They recognized that a swimmer clinging to a channel buoy could not make it to shore. They called for help, paddled back to the swimmer, and directed HFD rescuers to their location during this evening emergency.
Samuel M. Saffery IV helped an elderly woman who fell and injured herself while walking in Palama on Dec. 19, 2006. Saffery called 911 and treated the woman's injuries until emergency medical personnel arrived. Saffery works for the City's Department of Environmental Services as an equipment operator.
Clean Island Council employees responded to fire fighters' request for adsorbent materials on Oct. 20, 2006. Fire fighters responding to an oil spill from electrical transformers on Sand Island Access Road had used their inventory of oil adsorbing pads. The Clean Island Council readily provided more pads and booms to contain the oil spill. Their quick and generous actions helped prevent the oil from reaching waterways that lead directly to the ocean.
Fire Fighter III Cedric K. H. Chang's decisiveness in entering a stream and removing sand and debris that had accumulated under a bridge on Jan. 7 helped to clear it and averted further damage to homes in Hau'ula. Chang is a tanker driver at the Hau'ula Fire Station, First Platoon.
Fire Fighter I James M. Richmond saw a structure fire near Waimea Bay and stopped to help the Sunset Beach engine company on Aug. 1, 2006. He was reporting to duty when he saw the fire, stopped and donned his personal protective equipment, and helped fight the fire for over two hours. Richmond is assigned to the Hau'ula Fire Station, First Platoon.
