Five members of the Columbus Fire Department were recently honored for rescuing an 8-year-old girl from a laundry chute.
Chief Andy Lay presented the Medal of Courage to members of Engine 2 and Squad 2 during a Board of Works meeting Tuesday. The recipients were Captain Josh Allman, Lieutenant Leroy Armstrong, firefighter Norvin Williams, firefighter Josh Carney and firefighter Marcus Gruner.
“The Medal of Courage is awarded to a firefighter who was involved in an act of bravery or who shows initiative and capability,” Lay said. “These firefighters showed initiative and capability and saved a young child’s life that day.”
He also noted that technical rescues, such as the one in question, are “challenging” and call for a “special skillset.” He added that despite encountering multiple challenges, firefighters remained calm and used critical thinking skills as well as their rescue training.