Home»BALTIMORE CITY FIRE DEPARTMENT»CEREMONIES»MEDALS DAY CEREMONIES»Memorial Service/Medals Day 2013 11-19-13

On November 19, 2013 the Baltimore City Fire Department held its Memorial Service and Medals Day Ceremony at the War Memorial building in downtown Baltimore.
Fire Department Chaplain Walter Burgess led the 34th annual Memorial Service, honoring and remembering the deceased retired and active Fire Department members from the preceding year. The Fire Department Honor Guard opened the service with the presentation of colors while the Star Spangled Banner was sung by Firefighter/Paramedic Nila Hurst from Engine 23.
As Father Burgess and Shift Commander Mark Wagner read each name of the 52 departed members from the past year a bell tolled and a red or white carnation was placed in a wreath on a maltese cross in front of the stage. The service concluded with the playing of taps on the bugle and a lone bagpiper piping the Recessional. After the closing benediction and final salute the family members of the deceased could come forward and take a flower from the wreath in memory of their loved ones.
During the intermission lunch was served by the members of the Box 414 Association in the downstairs hall. After the short break the 19th annual Medals Day Ceremony got underway.
After opening remarks by Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake and acting Chief of Fire Department Jeffrey Segal former Fire Commissioner Stuart Nathan hosted the ceremony and read the circumstances of all of the incidents involved in this year’s event. 23 Meritorious Conduct and Exemplary Performance commendations were awarded along with numerous Distinguished Unit Citations.
In one if the incidents a father and son both received the Exemplary Performance award for “outstanding proficiency in the performance of emergency duty” for the first time.
On February 28, 2013 at 12:37 AM a tactical box was dispatched for a dryer fire at 1722 Ramsey Street. When Engine 55, Engine 14 and Truck 23 arrived there was heavy smoke coming from the 2-story dwelling. Lt. Steve Gibson Jr., Engine 55, took command and requested the rest of the box assignment. EMT/FF Matthew Graves, Truck 23, received a report of someone trapped in the basement.
Engine 14 was met with heavy fire on the first floor rear, while EMT/FF Graves began the search of the basement. He located the victim and notified Command that he needed assistance. Lt. Gibson Jr. along with EMT/FF Zan Ford, Engine 55, and Captain Steve Gibson, detailed Rescue 1, proceeded to the basement and removed the victim to safety. Medic 21 treated the patient and transported him to Shock Trauma where he was treated and eventually released.
What could have been a tragedy was successfully handled by the arriving units along with the quick actions of these four individuals.
Distinguished Unit Citations were also given to Engines 14 and 55, Truck 23, Rescue 1, and Medic 21 for their actions and teamwork on this incident.
Lt. Steve Gibson and EMT/FF Graves also received the Box 414 Association award for their heroic actions at this fire.
In another “first” this year, mutual aid companies from Anne Arundel County Engine 311, Truck 31 and Paramedic 31 along with several Baltimore City units received Distinguished Unit Citations for their actions at a dwelling fire in Curtis Bay on May 29, 2013 in which a handicapped person was rescued from the upper floor of a burning building.
There were also 12 special awards given by special interest groups, presented to 23 individuals for their heroic and selfless acts on the fire ground or service to the Fire Department during the past year.
There was also a new special presentation this year. Waldorf College offered a scholarship to a deserving firefighter. Waldorf is a four-year liberal arts school based in Forest City, Iowa and offers residential and on-line degrees in many different fields including fire sciences that are recognized by the Fire and Emergency Services Higher Education Network in conjunction with the National Fire Academy.
The winner of the Learning Partners Scholarship was Battalion Chief 3 Michael Rudasill. He was chosen from several applicants that were in the running.
This day has been set aside to recognize the individuals that go above and beyond the normal call of duty to perform their jobs. Every day all of the men and women of the Department perform many more acts of selflessness and kindness that go unnoticed.