EXTRA, EXTRA/Dramatic rescue garners valor award
Lt. Steven Traylor and Firefighters William Jeffords and Michael Harrell of Chesterfield County (Va.) Fire and EMS have received the 2005 International Benjamin Franklin Fire Service Award for Valor. The award, co-sponsored by the Fairfax, Va.-based International Association of Fire Chiefs and Schaumburg, Ill.-based Motorola, recognizes firefighters for lifesaving efforts above and beyond the call of duty. Traylor, Jeffords and Harrell were selected for their part in the rescue of more than 20 people trapped in apartment buildings during severe flash flooding on Aug. 30, 2004, caused by the remnants of Tropical Storm Gaston. In nominating the three, Chesterfield County Fire Chief Paul Mauger said, “These three individuals worked under very hazardous conditions to directly rescue 12 adults and children and assisted in rescuing another eight people.”