Firefighter Close Calls

Home of the Secret List

LT. BRAD CLARK’S FAMILY TO RECEIVE COURAGE AND VALOR AWARD ON HIS BEHALF AT FDIC

 Brian Kazmierzak    February 13, 2019    No Comments

The Ray Downey Courage and Valor Award commemorates the life and career achievements of Deputy Chief Ray Downey, who lost his life while commanding rescue operations at the World Trade Center attack on September 11, 2001. Deputy Chief Downey was chief of rescue operations and a 39-year veteran of the Fire Department of New York. He was the most highly decorated firefighter in the history of FDNY. Deputy Chief Downey commanded rescue operations at many difficult and complex disasters, including the Oklahoma City Bombing, the 1993 World Trade Center Bombing, and many natural disasters worldwide. Each year, the award is presented at the Fire Department Instructors Conference (FDIC) International in Indianapolis, Indiana.

The recipient of this year’s award is Lieutenant Bradford T. Clark, of Hanover County (VA) Fire-EMS.  The award will be presented posthumously, with his wife Melanie Clark accepting the award.

FirefighterNation: Virginia Fire Lieutenant Killed in Collision

On October 11, 2018, Hanover Fire-EMS was managing heavy call volume because of the impacts of Tropical Storm Michael when Lieutenant Clark’s unit, Engine 6, was dispatched to an accident on the Interstate highway at 21:00.   As the crew was dismounting the apparatus to size up the incident, Lieutenant Clark observed a tractor trailer speeding toward the unit as he rounded the front of the engine.  Rather than using this moment to jump to safety, Lieutenant Clark yelled to warn his crew, allowing them a split-second notice to gain cover and brace for impact.  One firefighter who was riding behind Lieutenant Clark was reaching back into the jump seat to retrieve a medical bag when he heard Lieutenant Clark’s warning.  Sensing the impending impact, he dove headfirst back into the cab as the tractor trailer struck the rear of Engine 6.  That firefighter emerged from the wreckage without significant injuries and was able to begin treatment of his fellow firefighters.  The driver of the Engine 6 and other jump seat firefighter received significant life-threatening injuries as a result of the impact.

The impact of the tractor trailer drove the engine over the top of Lieutenant Clark, pinning him underneath the fire apparatus.  Crews worked to free him and begin treatment, but in spite of their best efforts, Lieutenant Clark was pronounced dead at the scene.

FirefighterNation: Tears and Laughter at Virginia Firefighter’s Funeral

Lieutenant Clark’s selfless actions resulted in the survival of the rest of his crew.  Lieutenant Clark used his last second to warn his crew, which gave them just enough warning to survive.  Lieutenant Clark’s actions exemplify the highest traditions and values of Chief Ray Downey and those firefighters who gave their lives on September 11, 2001.    As such, the 2019 Ray Downey Courage & Valor Award is presented to Lieutenant Bradford T. Clark, of Hanover (VA) Fire-EMS.

Melanie Clark will accept the award on Lieutenant Clark’s behalf during Opening Ceremony Day 1 of FDIC International on Wednesday, April 10, 2019, in Indianapolis, Indiana.  The award includes the Courage & Valor Medal and a check for $35,000, on behalf of the Courage & Valor Foundation.

Donations to the Courage & Valor Foundation can be made at www.courageandvalor.org.

Register for FDIC International 2019 at https://www.fdic.com/index.html.

 News

Also check the most current issue of THE SECRET
LIST
(Click Here)

Sign Up for Secret List

For Email Newsletters you can trust.

Please Visit
Our Sponsor

GordonGraham.com


YOU NEED THIS BOOK!
(Trust Us)

400+ PAGES.
90+ CONTRIBUTORS!
100% of the royalties from the sales of "PASS IT ON" will be donated to the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation and the Chief Ray Downey Scholarship Fund.
CLICK ABOVE TO ORDER YOUR COPIES TODAY!


 

Pass It On: The Second Alarm

BillyG-book-170



Posters

Click to Print

Submit Your
CLOSE CALLS /
NEAR MISS

 

  • Home
  • Close Calls
  • Secret List
  • Gallery
  • EMS Close Calls
  • Firefighter History
  • Drills
  • Firefighter Staffing
  • Firefighter Cancer
  • Personal Survival
  • SOG’s
  • Safety and Survival
  • Modern Fire Behavior
  • Never Forget
  • About Us
  • Fire Communications
  • Fire History
  • LODD Calendar
  • Pass It On
  • Contact Us
  • NIOSH LODD Reports
  • News Archives Prior to 2016

LODD STATS

YearTotals
2007118
20192
201885
201793
201689
201586
201487
2013101
201283
201181
201087
200993
2008118

Tweets by @alertpage

Search Site

In Memory Of

fdnyClick this patch

Contact Info

Email BillyG
[email protected]

Email Weekly Drill
Suggestions to

[email protected]

helmet

ragusa

Click Here for The 9/11 Widows' and Victims' Families Association

ssc

Click Here: Skyscraper Safety Campaign

Site proudly maintained by Firefighterclosecalls.com
Site designed and hosted by FireCompanies.com

Copyright © 2003-2019

Copyright Disclaimer: This non-commercial, non-profit and free use website is for the exclusive purpose of firefighter safety, health and survival. All photographs in these posts are either submitted or from aggregate Google and are used in the postings for the purposes of education, satire, and parody, criticism, news reporting, research, and scholarship consistent with 17 USC §107 and never due to intentional or malicious misuse of a copyright.