What could three firefighters, World Series winning pitcher and Super Bowl champion quarterback have in common? All won trips to Disney.
The firefighters - two from Baltimore and one from Massachusetts - are the recipients of the 2006 National Firemark Awards from Liberty Mutual. They received the honor during a recent luncheon at the New York City Fire Museum.
A committee comprised of representatives from several national fire organizations selected Bonnie Lopez, from Upton, Mass., Omar Shareef and Albert Jason Boyd, of Baltimore.
The trio had stiff competition from around the country, said Glenn Greenberg, senior public relations manager for Liberty Mutual.
Throughout the year, local insurance agents across the country recognize personnel who've made a difference. The judges review all of those awardees to select the winners.
The Baltimore firefighters were honored for their valiant effort to rescue two children from an apartment fire, while the Massachusetts volunteer was lauded for her fire safety education efforts in her community.
"These people deserve to be recognized for what they've done for their communities," Greenberg said, adding they displayed exemplary actions.
In addition to an all-expense paid trip to Liberty Mutual’s 'Where's the Fire?' exhibit at Epcot in Florida, a $10,000 grant was awarded to the recipients' fire companies.
Greenberg said 82 percent of those killed by fires last year perished in blazes in the home. Oscar-winning Actress Marcia Gay Harden, who presented the awards, was personally touched by just such an incident a few years ago. In 2003, her young niece, nephew, and former sister-in-law were tragically killed when a fire ripped through their New York City apartment. The cause of the fire was later attributed to a burning candle left unattended in the living room.
Liberty Mutual also announced a $10,000 donation to Harden's foundation benefiting after-school programs at P.S. 122 in Astoria, N.Y., that her niece and nephew participated in and loved.
"Deaths from home fires are especially sad because there is so much we can do to prevent them," said Harden. "October is Fire Safety Month, so it is a great time to learn how you can protect yourself and your family, and I am honored to work with Liberty Mutual on this effort."
The award-winning firefighters could not be reached for comment.
Related articles:
