During the Earthquake and Fire October 17, 1989 Both firefighters did outstanding work in the rescue of a woman trapped in a collapsed structure. The building was once a four-story apartment complex that had collapsed to a height of one story. While the rescue continued, the building across the street caught fire and the heat was so intense that hose lines were used to cool down the two rescuers. For their extraordinary bravery Captain Boudoures was awarded the Sullivan Medal and Firefighter Shannon was awarded the Scannell Medal. To
entitle a member of the Department to an award in this class the act must
have been voluntary in relation to the saving of human life under the most
adverse conditions and at extreme personal risk.
To
entitle a member of the Department to an award in this class the act must
have been voluntary in relation to the saving of human life under the most
adverse conditions and at great personal risk.
During the Earthquake and Fire October 17, 1989 Unit Citations These firefighters constantly risked their lives under the worst possible fire conditions to rescue an elderly woman and to extinguish the Marina District fire, in disregard for their personal safety.
These companies arrived at the Marina District fire and found collapsed structures and leaking natural gas. The officers and firefighters of Engine No. 3 and Truck No. 3 led hand lines into fallen structures and rescued trapped occupants. They were also instrumental in stopping the spread of the fire. They performed these duties in disregard for their personal safety.
Under the command of Assistant Chief Brophy, these companies worked to rescue victims from fallen buildings in the Marina District that were fully-charged with natural gas. These officers and firefighters risked their lives performing rescue operations and while advancing hand held lines into many burning structures.
Members of Fire Station No. 8 responded to a partially-collapsed five-story brick structure at Sixth and Bluxome streets. For more than an hour these firefighters worked to free victims from the rubble as aftershocks rocked the tottering structure. Their actions at this disaster exemplify teamwork and dedication to duty under the most hazardous of conditions.
These firefighters rescued several people from collapsed buildings and assisted Captain Boudoures and Firefighter Shannon during their lengthy rescue operations.
These firefighters entered many collapsed buildings, the first of which was at 2 Cervantes Boulevard, to rescue many people. Many of the structures were fully-charged with natural gas and they performed these rescue operations in disregard for their personal safety.
These members of Engine No. 21 provided the water from the lagoon of the Palace of Fine Arts which kept the fire from progressing along Beach Street. This action saved a great portion of the Marina District from fire.
Members of Engine No. 29 responded to a partially-collapsed five-story brick structure at Sixth and Bluxome streets. For more than an hour these firefighters worked to free victims from the rubble as aftershocks rocked the tottering structure. Their actions at this disaster exemplify teamwork and dedication to duty under the most hazardous of conditions.
Members of Engine No. 31 assisted the fireboat Phoenix as it attempted a hazardous docking at the Marina Yacht Harbor during extreme low tide. Further, this company sought out a water supply that was utilized to save several buildings in the Marina District from fire.
Members of Engine No. 34 responded to the Marina District with the engine and the cliff rescue unit. They found two three-story buildings fully involved in fire and entered those buildings several times to rescue three people. They performed this duty in disregard for their personal safety.
This company responded to the Marina District as part of Battalion Chief Hickey's ad hoc task force. Members of Engine No. 36 led hose lines into several collapsing buildings that were charged with natural gas in the successful effort to stop the Marina District fire. They performed this duty with disregard for their personal safety.
Upon cessation of the earthquake members of Engine No. 37 responded to the South of Market area. Members of this company performed search and rescue operations and attempted to free trapped victims of a building collapse. They also engered a severely-damaged hotel, risking their lives, to rescue and evacuate terrified residents.
Chief's Aide Jackson entered the fallen structure at 2 Cervantes Boulevard that was fully-charged with natural gas to rescue people trapped in the rubble. He performed this action in disregard for his personal safety. These members of Rescue Squad No. 2 searched collapsed buildings in the Marina District under the command of Battalion Chief Shannon and performed many rescues even though the structures were charged with natural gas. They performed this duty in disregard for their personal safety. These members of Engine No. 38 and Service Squad No. 1 entered collapsed buildings on Cervantes Boulevard under the command of Battalion Chief Shannon to rescue victims and give first-aid even though the structures were fully-charged with natural gas. They performed this duty in disregard for their personal safety.
The crew of Engine No. 41 attached a Gleeson valve to a High Pressure hydrant in front of a building that was fully-involved in fire in a desperate attempt to find water in the Marina District. Moments later, the fire building collapsed upon the High Pressure hydrant. This action was performed in disregard for their personal safety.
Under the command of Lt. Banchero, the crew of the Fireboat Phoenix skillfully maneuvered the vessel into the Marina Yacht Harbor at low tide, scraping bottom several times. This crew was able to bring the fireboat to the foot of Divisadero Street where firefighters along with citizen volunteers led supply lines to the Marina District fire. The Fireboat Phoenix provided the main water source for suppression of the Marina District fire until the High Pressure system was restored to service.
Upon arrival in the Marina District, Presidio of San Francisco firefighters found two three-story buildings fully-involved in fire. Presidio Firefighter Milano entered the fire buildings several times and rescued three people. Firefighter Milano performed these rescue operations in disregard for his personal safety.
Firefighter Bryant was upon the upper deck of the Cypress Viaduct when that structure collapsed during the earthquake. He personally rendered aid, organized volunteers and searched for survivors at great risk to his own life. He was awarded a certificate by the California Highway Patrol for this heroic action.
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