Depot firefighters receive overdue awards for extraordinary acts of heroism

By Jo Adail Stephenson, Blue Grass Public Affairs OfficerAugust 26, 2009

Awards Presented to Heroes
Blue Grass Army Depot Commander Col. Joseph Tirone (far left) presented the Department of the Army Civilian Award for Humanitarian Service to Joseph Brewer (center) and Henry Walker for their actions on May 30, 2004, when both put their own lives in ... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

BLUE GRASS ARMY DEPOT, Richmond, Ky. - Blue Grass Army Depot firefighters Joseph Brewer and Henry Walker accomplished acts of extraordinary heroism more than five years ago for which they didn't receive any formal recognition until now.

The oversight came to the attention of current Depot Fire Chief Sean Brewer and Assistant Fire Chief Gregory Ranard and, through their diligent efforts, the two firefighters were recently officially recognized with the Department of the Army Civilian Award for Humanitarian Service for their selfless service on May 30, 2004.

That day firefighters Joseph Brewer and Henry Walker put their own lives in jeopardy to rescue six victims involved in a local area motor vehicle accident. The vehicle had wrecked and had come to rest on its side with the rear of the vehicle resting about 10 feet off the ground after crashing through a power pole and a natural gas meter and into a house.

The gas and electric companies were called to the scene to secure the utilities but the responding crews wouldn't arrive for approximately 45 minutes.

Both firefighters were fully aware of the dangers involved in the rescue attempt. It required operating extrication tools in this life-threatening environment which was more risk than the other fire and rescue crews who responded to the scene were willing to take.

Brewer and Walker made the decision to begin the rescue operation where downed power poles with power lines were sparking and leaking natural gas quickly filled the house which had structural damage where the vehicle had hit an exterior wall.

Both returned to the scene numerous times to remove the victims thrown from the vehicle, trapped inside and under the vehicle. They coordinated the use of high pressure air bags and jaws-of-life simultaneously to lift the vehicle high enough to remove the last victim from underneath the vehicle.

Brewer and Walker worked on the scene for 43 minutes removing all the victims and getting them to a safe environment.

Both firefighters indicated they just happened to be the ones on this particular shift and that any of the other firefighters at Blue Grass Army Depot would have done the same.

Neither firefighter has ever asked for anything for their heroic acts which makes them all the more deserving of the recognition, according to Blue Grass Army Depot Fire Chief Sean Brewer.

"These men are true heroes in the eyes of their coworkers and in the eyes of the surrounding community fire departments," said Blue Grass Army Depot Commander Col. Joseph Tirone.

"They truly demonstrate the Department of Defense Fire and Emergency Services motto that says, 'The desire to serve, the ability to perform, and the courage to act'. They not only have the desire and the courage but also a superb ability to perform under the most hazardous of situations," Tirone said.

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