BOSTON - The call to 3012 Cherokee in St. Louis was like many before ... a fire of electrical origin had erupted, assistance needed. Little did Engine Company 32 (IAFF Local 73) Firefighter John Hernandez know, it would be the call that made him a hero.
On October 26, 2004, Firefighter Hernandez and others from his station arrived at the flame-engulfed and smoke-filled two-story, four-family residence. Hernandez led a valiant search-and-rescue mission through the fire-ravaged and heat-seared home, ultimately discovering an unconscious three-year-old boy whom he scooped up and rushed outside where the child received emergency medical attention.
The rescue saved the life of the young boy, and it has now earned Firefighter Hernandez the honor of being the first winner of Liberty Mutual Group’s National Firemark Award for Heroism. A committee representing national fire service organizations, including the International Association of Fire Chiefs, the National Volunteer Fire Council, the National Fire Protection Association, the National Association of State Fire Marshals, and the Society of Fire Protection Engineers, selected Firefighter Hernandez from dozens of nominees who were local Liberty Mutual Firemark Award winners over the past year.
Liberty Mutual presented its award to Firefighter Hernandez today at its “Where’s the Fire?” exhibit at INNOVENTIONS at Epcot(R) at the Walt Disney World(R) Resort in Florida. Liberty Mutual also presented a second National Firemark Award for Public Education and Community Service to Firefighter Joseph Patrick Murphy, of New York City Fire Department Ladder Company 156. In recognition of these awards Liberty Mutual is giving $10,000 grants to the St. Louis and New York City Fire Departments.
“Heroes come in all forms in the fire service, some by the danger-defying rescues we see on the evening news, and some by their day-in and day-out efforts to prevent fires from occurring in the first place,” said Paul Condrin, Liberty Mutual executive vice president, Personal Market. “Firefighter Hernandez is an extraordinary symbol of the irreplaceable role firefighters play in every small town and large city across the nation.”
About the Liberty Mutual Firemark Award
Liberty Mutual introduced the Firemark Award in 1986 to locally recognize firefighters throughout the country who best represent their communities through their valor and selfless spirit. The award takes its name from the firemark, a leaden plate in the form of a Phoenix rising from the ashes, which American fire offices in the 18th and 19th centuries used to mark all the houses they insured. The firemark stood as a guarantee to all fire brigades that the insurance company that insured the house in question would reward handsomely the brigade extinguishing a fire on the premises.
About “Where’s the Fire?”
Liberty Mutual’s “Where’s the Fire?” in INNOVENTIONS at Epcot(R) - the nation’s largest fire safety and education experience - is a 4,000+ square- foot exhibit designed by Walt Disney Imagineering in cooperation with Liberty Mutual’s fire safety specialists and the U.S. Fire Administration. “Where’s the Fire?” features an interactive game house that challenges guests to find and eliminate common -- and uncommon -- home fire hazards using a technologically unique “safety light.” Younger children especially enjoy the smaller-scale “Play It Safe” house where they learn safe behaviors should a fire occur in their home.
About INNOVENTIONS at Epcot(R)
Located in the heart of Epcot(R), INNOVENTIONS is a unique attraction filled with hands-on, interactive exhibits. Visitors from around the globe discover how science and technology can simplify and enhance their lives today and tomorrow. This 100,000 square foot interactive playground provides guests with the opportunity to explore and discover innovative products and technologies from some of the world’s finest companies and associations. From breakthroughs in farming and forestry to the latest in fire safety, plastics and home theatre products, INNOVENTIONS amazes guests as they experience how technological breakthroughs will change the way we live.
About Liberty Mutual
Boston-based Liberty Mutual ( http://www.libertymutual.com/ ) is one of the largest multi-line insurers in the property and casualty industry. The company is the eighth-largest provider of personal lines insurance in the U.S., and sells full lines of coverage for homeowners, automobile, valuable possessions and personal liability through more than 370 local sales offices, two call centers, payroll deduction, and direct billing to more than 8,500 participating companies and associations.
Liberty Mutual today employs nearly 38,000 people in nearly 900 offices worldwide.