Berwyn Fire Co. Recognized for Water Rescue Excellence
By NewsDesk
June 13, 2022
SOUTH BEND, IN - On Sunday, June 12th, the Berwyn Fire Company was recognized by the Higgins and Langley Memorial Awards under the Incident Award category for leadership in the challenging and complex swiftwater rescue of an adult trapped in a vehicle along Valley Creek in Valley Forge National Historical Park on September 1, 2021.
The Berwyn Fire Company was present among other recipients in various categories from North Carolina, New Jersey, Maryland, Arizona, Pennsylvania, Australia and England.
Prior to the conferring of any honors, the Higgins & Langley Board of Directors perform an exhaustive investigation to determine suitability for all awards. The Incident Award that Berwyn Fire Company received involved a review of scene photos, drone images, video, incident narrative, verification of certification, multiple responder interviews, 9-1-1 incident times, emergency radio communications and an analysis of technical skills and techniques used during the rescue.
A total of 53 personnel among several agencies were managed by the Berwyn Fire Company during this extensive rescue effort that lasted over 4 hours as the region was impacted by the remnants of Hurricane Ida. According to the United States Geological Survey, during the rescue the Valley Creek water gauge rose above 16 feet. For those familiar with this waterway, this normally flows at 2-3 feet in spots or lower throughout the year.
The Higgins and Langley Memorial Awards were established in 1993 by members of the Swiftwater Rescue Committee of the National Association for Search and Rescue (NASAR) in honor of Earl Higgins, a writer and filmmaker who lost his life in 1980 while rescuing a child who was swept down the flood-swollen Los Angeles River, and Jeffrey Langley, a Los Angeles County Fire Department firefighter-paramedic, who lost his life in a helicopter incident in 1993.
The Higgins and Langley Memorial Awards are not intended as recognition of heroism only, but acknowledge individuals and swiftwater rescue teams that have utilized this specialized technical rescue discipline for lifesaving, increased awareness about the need for swiftwater and flood rescue training, promoted worldwide training standards of certification, and inspired other agencies to develop viable water rescue programs.
During the opportunity for each award recipient to speak, the Berwyn Fire Company recognized the following agencies who assisted with this successful rescue effort; Radnor Fire Company, Fame Fire Company of West Chester, Phoenixville Fire Department, Friendship Diving-Rescue Unit of Phoenixville, Valley Forge Volunteer Fire Company, Paoli Fire Company EMS & Fire Police, Malvern Fire Company EMS, National Park Service Valley Forge Park Rangers and the Chester County Department of Emergency Services 9-1-1 Center.
The Berwyn Fire Company remains committed to delivering high quality services to the Tredyffrin-Easttown community and ensuring its responders are equipped to handle water rescues through investments in training and certification.
Berwyn Firefighter/Paramedic Albert Brawn, IV, Assistant Chief Eamon Brazunas and Battalion Chief Evan Brazunas receiving an Incident Award at the Higgins & Langley Memorial Awards ceremony in South Bend, Indiana on Sunday, June 12, 2022.
The Higgins and Langley Memorial Awards were established in 1993 by members of the Swiftwater Rescue Committee of the National Association for Search and Rescue (NASAR) in honor of Earl Higgins, a writer and filmmaker who lost his life in 1980 while rescuing a child who was swept down the flood-swollen Los Angeles River, and Jeffrey Langley, a Los Angeles County Fire Department firefighter-paramedic, who lost his life in a helicopter incident in 1993.
Flooding is the leading cause of weather related death worldwide. Rescuers who lack proper swiftwater/flood rescue training and equipment are at risk of serious injury and loss of life.
Every year, would-be rescuers, both citizens and professionals, die in swiftwater incidents. Although improvements in response capability are being made in many public safety agencies, others remain inadequately prepared to perform safe and effective swiftwater and flood rescues.
The Higgins and Langley Memorial Awards are not intended as recognition of heroism only, but acknowledge individuals and swiftwater rescue teams that have utilized this specialized technical rescue discipline for lifesaving, increased awareness about the need for swiftwater and flood rescue training, promoted worldwide training standards of certification, and inspired other agencies to develop viable water rescue programs.
Higgins and Langley Memorial Awards have increased awareness about the need for specialized swiftwater and flood rescue training. As a result, worldwide training certifications have increased and agencies have been inspired to develop viable water rescue programs, both for the protection of the public, as well as the safety of their personnel.
Higgins and Langley Memorial Awards recognized Berwyn Fire Company under the Incident Award category for leadership in the challenging and complex swiftwater rescue of an adult trapped in a vehicle along Valley Creek in Valley Forge National Historical Park on September 1, 2021.
(L-R) Berwyn Assistant Chief Eamon Brazunas, Fire and Recue New South Wales Australia Senior Firefighter Gerrard Collins, Fire and Rescue New South Wales Australia Deputy Commissioner Jeremy Fewtrell, Berwyn Battalion Chief Evan Brazunas and Berwyn Firefighter/Paramedic Albert Brawn, IV.
(L-R) Berwyn Firefighter Albert Brawn, IV, Montgomery County US&R Rescue Specialist Kevin Swan, Montgomery County US&R Rescue Squad Officer John Mahon, Berwyn Assistant Chief Eamon Brazunas, Montgomery County US&R Rescue Specialist Rob Carovilano, Higgins & Langley Board Chair Chris Calhoun and Berwyn Battalion Chief Evan Brazunas.
Thank you to the Higgins & Langley Memorial Awards Board of Directors and Nancy Rigg for their tireless efforts to raise the importance of water rescue training.
