Updated at 11:10 a.m., Friday, March 30, 2007
HFD to salute civilians, firefighters for acts of bravery
Advertiser Staff
The Honolulu Fire Department will next week present valor and commendation awards to civilians and firefighters.
Fire Chief Kenneth G. Silva will present the awards during a 9 a.m. ceremony Thursday at HFD's headquarters auditorium.
Silva will award Civilian Medals of Valor to two brothers who rescued a woman from her burning house last October in Kuli'ou'ou. 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 lives. It is the highest honor the HFD can bestow upon a member of the public.
Certificates of Commendation will go to 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 firefighters who distinguished themselves through exceptional performance of duty.
Silva will present awards to the following individuals:
Harris and Peter Phengvath quickly responded to a structure fire at a neighbor's house in Kuli'ou'ou Valley on Oct. 15, 2006. The brothers pulled their elderly neighbor from her burning home and ran to the rear of the house to fight the fire with a garden hose until HFD companies arrived.
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 firefighters' request for adsorbent materials on Oct. 20, 2006. Firefighters 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.
Firefighter III Cedric K. H. Chang's decisiveness on Jan. 7 in entering a stream and removing sand and debris that had accumulated under a bridge 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.
Firefighter 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.
