Firehouse Contributor Turns Down Award at FRI

ATLANTA, Ga.-- Among the awardees honored at the IAFC Safety, Health and Survival Section Meeting at Fire Rescue International Aug. 23 was Firehouse.com contributor Dr. Burton Clark.

The unique thing about Clark's acceptance speech, however, is that he didn't actually accept the award.

Clark, who was presented with the Seal of Excellence by the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation for his work on the Seatbelt Pledge, handed the award back to section member Chief Billy Goldfeder as quickly as it was given.

To date, the National Fire Service Seat Belt Pledge has totaled 40,567 signitures.

He read off the names of the eight firefighters who have died this year in apparatus-involved line-of-duty deaths that he said could have been prevented by the use of a seatbelt.

"I can't take this award. None of us can take this award," he said emotionally as he gave the award back to Goldfeder, telling him to keep it until the U.S. fire service goes one year without a firefighter fatality that could have been spared by buckling up.

He was given a standing ovation by those in attendance and was most likely the only recipient of an award at the conference who chose to turn it down.

Before making his speech, Clark announced that the USFA as an organization has decided to take part in the pledge. Newly appointed USFA Administrator Gregory Cade physically signed Clark's pledge in person.

Other awardees honored at the meeting included Montgomery County, Md. Assistant Chief Denise Pouget-Rankin as Safety Officer of the Year; West Metro, Colo. Fire and Rescue as Organization Safety Award of the Year; IAFC board member David Daniels for the Gary Briese Award and NFFF Executive Director Ron Siarnicki for the Alan Brunacini Award.

At the opening ceremonies the following morning, IAFC and Motorola, Inc. presented the International Benjamin Franklin Fire Service Award for Valor to the members of the Colorado Springs Fire Department's C-shift of Truck 8.

Lieutenant Brian Moffitt, Driver Engineer Christopher Richardson, Firefighter Nicholas Chapel and Firefighter Ryan Douglas were honored for their actions during a Jan. 16 apartment fire rescue.

Fire Chief Manuel Navarro also was honored with the Leadership Award.

During the late-night blaze, the firefighters of truck 8 alone made 20 rescues of 85 trapped occupants off of ladders.

The firefighters also searched in dangerous conditions to clear as many apartments as possible as the fire advanced.

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