Truck 15 Receives National Acclaim for Heroism

 

Members Recognized in Northeast Ceremony

June 10, 2003

Alan Etter

Truck 15 crew members donate the $250 prize to Heroes, Inc.  Pictured left to right are firefighter Christopher Zdobysz, Lt. Walter Webb (RS1 - representing Local 36 and Heroes, Inc.), Chad Breen, Patrick McMahan, Chief Adrian Thompson, and Wayne Darmstead (not pictured: Lt. Gregory Crowe).

(Washington) – The crew of the DC Fire Department’s (Ladder) Truck-15 was honored today for bravery and service beyond the call of duty.  A ceremony was held at the quarters of Truck 15 and Engine 26, 1340 Rhode Island Ave., NE, during which Chief Adrian H. Thompson congratulated the members on receiving Firehouse Magazine’s Heroism Award.

On February 15th of last year, Truck 15 was returning to quarters after operating at a fire when they encountered smoke in the 200 block of T St., NE.  A citizen ran out into the street and pointed them to 227 T St., where smoke was billowing from the basement of a group home for mentally disabled people.  The crew, under the direction of Sgt. Greg Crowe, entered the building and began getting the residents out.  Some were either confined to wheelchairs or otherwise had mobility problems and had to be carried from the house.  In all, eight people were rescued.

“Here’s a perfect example of an alert crew really coming through to help the citizens,” said Chief Thompson.  “They are a credit to the fire service and to the city and well-deserving of the Firehouse Magazine Heroism Award.”