Twelve Los Angeles Fire Department members, as well as three K-9 units, were honored Thursday for their bravery, courage and commitment to the city during an award ceremony.
Hosted by Mayor Eric Garcetti and Fire Chief Ralph Terrazas, every award at the Los Angeles Fire Department Foundation’s Awards Luncheon came with a heroic tale highlighting each recepient's bravest and most committed moment in the past year.
Engineer Darin Laier was awarded the Medal of Valor, the highest award, for saving a 16-year-old girl from drowning in swirling pool while he was on vacation in Kauai.
Retired Assistant Chief Frank Borden was honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award for serving the LAFD for 36 years. Throughout his career, Borden has developed emergency preparedness programs such as CERT, Fire Safety Education and the Research and Development Unit, the fire department said.
The Fire Department’s Engine 12, which includes Capt. Shin Black, Engineer Timothy Aguayo, Firefighter Zachariah Robinson and Probationary Firefighter Daniel Goen, was awarded the Medal of Merit for saving a man who was dangling off a bridge over the Arroyo Seco Wash in Mt. Washington. The man had threatened to jump 30 feet to his death, but the crew lifted him to safety.
Also awarded the Medal of Merit were retired Capt. Robert Shrode and Engineer Tyler Varnum for taking control of Engine 102 after the engineer driving the engine passed out, crashing into parked cars and knocking down power poles.
Three K-9 Unit members — Veya, Riggs and Faith — earned special recognition when they helped locate human bodies in heavy debris after a fire that occurred this past June.
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Because of his dedication to the LAFD and LAPD’s Annual St. Baldrick’s Event, as well as his commitment to the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Los Angeles, Capt. Danny Wu was honored with the Crystal Flame Community Service Award.
The Fire Department also recognized The Walt Disney Company with the Corporate Responsibility Award for training their employees to perform CPR after a man suffered cardiac arrest in front of the El Capitan Theater. The theatre’s assistant manager, Michael Brandy, administered CPR to the man until the LAFD arrived.
