Crime & Safety

Norristown Firefighters to Receive Valor Award for Lower Providence Rescue

Two Norristown firefighters will receive a valor award for rescuing a worker from a Lower Providence water tower.

Two Norristown firefighters will receive the Valor Award in Emergency Response and Meritorious Community Service for their actions in rescuing a water tower worker who was trapped in a Lower Providence water tower on Dec. 5, 2012, according to The Times Herald.

The Norristown Fire Department award recipients, firefighter Robert Myers and Assistant Fire Chief David Keely, created a rope system that Myers used to rappel down to the worker who was stuck in the tank and remove him.

“I’m extremely proud of the heroic acts of both of our members. As a result of their hard work, a life was saved,” said Thomas O’Donnell, the Norristown Fire Chief.

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The December day started when three Corrosion Control Corporation employees were working with the Lower Providence water tower when what seemed to be a malfunction of their equipment occurred. One employee fell about 40 to 60 feet and died.  While one of the other workers was safe at the bottom of the tank, the last worker hanged from his safety harness.

The Philadelphia Area Chevrolet Dealers Group has presented the Valor Award at the National Liberty Museum in Philadelphia for the past eight years. “We base the awards on stories rather than individuals because it is more often a team of people who are being recognized for the award,” Development Associate Stephanie Lin of the National Liberty Museum said.

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According to Lin, 19 stories that tell of courage will be honored on Sept. 18. While the stories have in the past been submitted by fire chiefs, this year, the public were able to submit stories.

 


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