April 10, 2010

Rescue Squad Personnel Win National Heroism Award

Bethesda-Chevy Chase Rescue Squad personnel won Firehouse Magazine Heroism Awards for their dramatic rescue of two toddlers from a burning house in December 2008.

On December 3, 2008, the Bethesda-Chevy Chase Rescue Squad, along with other units from Montgomery County, was dispatched to a report of a hot tub on fire outside of a house in Glen Echo.  They arrived on scene to a report that the fire had spread into the house, and that three two-year-old triplets were trapped in an upstairs bedroom.   Without waiting for protection from a hoseline,  Rescue Squad Day Staff members Lieutenant Curtis Warfield and Master Firefighter Jon Klavon rushed upstairs through extreme heat and dense smoke, and found the nearly-lifeless toddlers inside their cribs.  After deciding that there wasn’t time to wait for a ladder to be put up to the bedroom window, each took one of the toddlers and returned down the stairs. 

Once outside, they began artificial respiration and handed the toddlers off to waiting paramedics, who transported them to Children’s Hospital in critical condition.  On the way out of the house, they met Bethesda Naval Firefighter Jody Sealey and Montgomery County Capt. Kimonti Oglesby, and directed them to the room.  Sealey and Oglesby were then able to find and rescue the third child.

Today, all three of the triplets have fully recovered from their injuries, and the family has returned to its home.

In addition to Warfield and Klavon, firefighters from Chicago and from Los Angeles County have been recognized for their heroism.  According to Firehouse Magazine, this annual program is the largest of its kind in the United States.   For more information about the award, visit http://www.firehouse.com/news/heroism/bethesda-md-lt-curtis-warfield-master-firefighter-john-klavon . 

Lieut. Warfield and Master Firefighter Klavon were also awarded Gold medals of valor from the Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce on March 20, 2009, for their actions in the rescue.   For more information, visit  http://www.bccrs.org/news  

The firefighters and paramedics on the incident were also featured in an August 2009 Washingtonian Magazine cover story.   Visit http://www.washingtonian.com/articles/people/13133.html . 

About the Rescue Squad

              Now in its 70th year, the Bethesda-Chevy Chase Rescue Squad is a community-supported non-profit organization that provides no-charge, professional fire, rescue, and emergency medical services to the Bethesda-Chevy Chase, Maryland area, as well as Upper Northwest Washington, D.C.  The spirit, commitment, dedication, and operational skills of its members are the defining characteristics of the Bethesda-Chevy Chase Rescue Squad. The Squad provides the community with the security and peace of mind that comes with emergency services that are among the best in the United States.

About Firehouse Magazine

Firehouse Magazine informs the public and the fire/rescue community about issues, events, and people in the fire/rescue service.   For more information, visit  www.firehouse.com/heroism .

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