JOINT BASE MYER-HENDERSON HALL, Va. – In a small, informal ceremony Feb. 21 at the Fort Myer Fire Station, senior military officials from the U.S. Military District of Washington gathered to recognize the immediate action of several local firefighters who were among the first responders to the crash site near Reagan National Airport last month that claimed the lives of 67 people.
During the ceremony, Maj. Gen. Trevor Bredenkamp and Command Sgt. Maj. Vern Dailey, leadership team for Joint Task Force-National Capital Region and MDW, presented coins to each firefighter involved in the response and thanked them for their commitment during what Bredenkamp described as “a very challenging time.”
On Jan. 29, an American Eagle passenger jet and a Black Hawk helicopter out of Fort Belvoir, Va., collided midair and crashed into the Potomac River near Reagan National Airport, leaving no survivors.
At 8:54 p.m., the Fort Myer and Fort McNair Fire Station received the initial call and responded to the site with several emergency vehicles as part of the Mass Casualty Task Force.
The team assisted the Emergency Medical Services Division with removing victims from the rescue boats that were out in the Potomac. JBM-HH fire crews operated until being released from the site and returning to the Fort Myer and Fort McNair Fire Stations at approximately 4:30 a.m.
JBM-HH Fire Chief Jeffrey Toporczyk praised the team’s professionalism and courage while conducting a very difficult and emotional task. “Our firefighters displayed incredible skill and bravery, navigating tough conditions to respond to this disaster,” he said. “I am proud of our team.”
Col. Tasha N. Lowery and Command Sgt. Maj. Kenyon Simmons, the command team for the Joint Base, also recognized the firefighters during the event. “These heroes put their lives on the line every day,” Lowery said. “We are so fortunate to have them serving on behalf of Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall.”
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