MEDIA CONTACT: Mark E. Brady, Chief Spokesperson, 240-508-7930
MEBrady@co.pg.md.us @PGFDPIO
For
extreme personal risk and the highest degree of judgment, zeal and ingenuity,
on April 26, 2017, County Executive Rushern Baker, III and Fire Chief Benjamin
Barksdale bestowed on Assistant Fire Chief Darren O. Ware the Fire/EMS
Department’s Gold Medal of Valor. He was
honored for his quick thinking and heroic efforts that saved the life of a
female victim who was experiencing a medical emergency while trapped inside her
burning SUV.
The award was presented at
the 40th Annual Public Safety Valor Awards.
For Assistant Fire
Chief Ware, Wednesday April 20, 2016, was challenging from the onset, as the Department
was conducting funeral services for a member killed in the line of duty. Additionally,
he was tasked with coordinating mutual aid resources and ensuring that
personnel who do not work in our system or typically work together could do so
safely and efficiently. Finally, upon concluding his shift and heading
home, Chief Ware noticed smoke on the road ahead of him and suspected it was
likely a vehicle fire.
Nearing the incident,
Chief Ware’s suspicion of a vehicle fire was confirmed. He was surprised,
however, to discover an adult female driver still inside. After
contacting Public Safety Communications for resources, he attempted to remove
the victim from the vehicle. His efforts were unsuccessful, as all four
doors were locked; and the woman was unresponsive to his instruction to open
the door. With the fire beneath the
vehicle was growing larger and progressing into the free burning phase, Chief
Ware realized the increasing urgency of the situation. He hurriedly
returned to his vehicle, surveying the immediate area and hoping to find an
object suitable to force entry into the SUV. Things were happening quickly, but to Chief
Ware it seemed like eternity in the face of the life-threatening situation
confronting the victim.
Retired Fire/EMS
Department Lieutenant Colonel Tyrone Wells, also returning from the funeral,
spied the incident and stopped to provide assistance. A construction tool
belonging to an unidentified bystander was used in a second attempt to access
the SUV. Forcible entry was in progress
when the victim inadvertently stepped on the gas pedal, driving the vehicle down
the slope and off the shoulder of the road. The fire was now at a
difficult angle with extension into the engine compartment, posing greater
peril to an already demanding situation.
The SUV’s new position had rendered the driver’s side inaccessible. It was imperative to affect this rescue
immediately or prepare for a tragic outcome.
Chief Ware and Colonel Wells, with the bystander’s help, managed to get
down the slope and access the passenger side of the vehicle.
The
Prince George’s County Fire/EMS Department isn’t the only organization to
commend Chief Ware’s heroism, as he was also named the American Legion’s “2017
National Firefighter of the Year”.
Notification of this honor came from George Wehrli, Chairman of the
American Legion National Law and Order Committee, who stated, “To maintain law
and order” is one of the major objectives included in the American Legion’s
Preamble to its Constitution. As a National
winner, you personify the meaning of America’s Bravest. I wish you continued success in your career
and look forward to meeting you at the National Convention.”
In July, Chief Ware will
travel to Ocean City, Maryland, where he will be honored by the American Legion
at the state level. The following month,
he will attend the organization’s 99th National Convention in Reno, Nevada, for
the presentation of the National Firefighter of the Year Award at the National
Commander’s Banquet.
In January 2017, Chief Ware
was awarded “Career Fire Fighter of the Year” by the Knights of Columbus
Sacred Heart Council No. 2577. In
addition, in March 2017, the Largo-Kettering Veterans of Foreign Wars of the
United States awarded him “Outstanding Firefighter of the Year,” and the “National Firefighters Citation”.
Congratulations, Assistant
Fire Chief Darren! Your actions reflect well on you personally and
professionally and exemplify the excellent caliber of service we strive to
provide to the residents of Prince George’s County
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| County Executive Baker, AFC Ware and Fire Chief Barksdale at recent Valor Award presentation. Image by Matt Fisher, PGPD |
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| AFC Ware and Tyrone Wells at Valor Award presentation. Image by Matt Fisher, PGPD |
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