On Sunday, October 23, 2005 three Spanish Lake Firefighters received the GREATER ST. LOUIS AREA FIRE CHIEF’S ASSOCIATION "UNIT CITATION AWARD" For Their Extraordinary Efforts and Dedication Shown on the Morning of December 24, 2004, Were Major Factors in the Overall Success of the Rescue of a Trapped Child from a Residential Structure Fire Acting Captain ROBERT VIERDAG Firefighter PAUL LATHAM Firefighter JASON RAINES

THREE SLFPD FIREFIGHTERS RECEIVED LIFE SAVING AWARDS FROM AREA FIRE CHIEFS Spanish Lake Firefighter Paul Latham, shown at right on photo, was presented with the Silver Medallion Medal of Valor, by the Greater St. Louis Area Fire Chief's Association, on Sunday, October 23rd, 2005, for courageous and outstanding efforts during the rescue of a trapped child from a residential structure fire on December 24, 2004. Firefighter Latham was the only St. Louis County Firefighter to receive a medal of valor award for 2004. Firefighter Latham went through the bedroom window of a smoke filled house that was on fire to search for a missing 9 year old child. Firefighter Latham found the unconscious child lying on the bedroom floor and quickly handed him out the window to other firefighters. Captain Jason Raines, shown to the left on the photo, help resuscitate the child and he was sent to the hospital where he successfully recovered. The house was destroyed by the fire. A Unit Citation Award was presented to Acting Captain Robert Vierdag, not shown in photo, Captain Jason Raines and Firefighter Paul Latham, all of Engine 5110, for their efforts in the same rescue.

TWO SLFPD FIREFIGHTERS RECEIVE RED CROSS LIFE SAVING AWARD Captain Glenn Murphy and Firefighter Paul Latham received the 2005 Life Safety Award from the American Red Cross in a ceremony at Spanish Lake Fire Station No. 1 on May 16, 2005. The awards were for the rescue of children in two seperate incidents. Captain Murphy (shown on the left in the photo) received his award for the rescue of a trapped child from a residential structure fire on April 8, 2004. After being told of a trapped child in the second floor bedroom, Captain Murphy went to the smoke filled second floor of the burning apartment and found an unconcious six year old child lying on the bedroom floor. He picked up the child and carried him out of the building where the child received medical treatment. The child was then rushed to the hospital and has since recovered. Captain Glenn Murphy was previously presented with the Silver Medallion Medal of Valor, by the Greater St. Louis Area Fire Chief's Association, for courageous and outstanding efforts during the same rescue. Firefighter Paul Latham (shown on the right in the photo) rescued 9 year old Edward Williams from his burning home on Christmas Eve. When firefighters arrived at the home, located in the 12700 block of Meadowdale Drive, they found the garage area completely engulfed in fire and two vehicles parked in the driveway burning. The fire was rapidly spreading through the residence. St. Louis County Police Officer Christopher Hawks had arrived prior to the firefighters and broke out a bedroom window and reached in and pulled out two children through the window. A third child was trapped inside the bedroom and could not be reached from the window. When Firefighter Latham arrived he quickly entered the smoke filled residence through the bedroom window to search for the missing child. He found the child lying unconscious on the floor next to the bed. He grabbed the child and handed him out the window to another firefighter. The boy was treated on the scene and sent to the hospital with smoke inhalation. The Child has since recovered.

SLFPD FIRE CAPTAIN RECEIVES LIFE SAVING MEDAL Sunday, October 17, 2004 Spanish Lake Fire Captain Glenn Murphy was presented with the Silver Medallion Medal of Valor, by the Greater St. Louis Area Fire Chief's Association, for courageous and outstanding efforts during the rescue of a trapped child from a residential structure fire on April 8, 2004. Captain Murphy went to the smoke filled second floor of a burning apartment and found an unconcious six year old child lying on the bedroom floor. He picked up the child and carried him out of the building where the child received medical treatment. The child was then rushed to the hospital and has since recovered. A Unit Citation Award was presented to Captains Glenn Murphy and Michael Flavin, and to Firefighter Paul Latham, Engineer Jason Raines, Firefighter Gary Olson and Engineer Raymond Bauer for their efforts at the same fire.

FIREFIGHTERS RECEIVE AWARD.......... Shown here, Chief Larry Boyer (center left) of Spanish Lake and Chief Joe Bommerito (center right)and Firefighter Terry Sydnor (second from left) of Riverview Fire District except a plaque on behalf of the firefighters for collecting $4,600.00 for the Childrens Burn Camp. Presenting are Linda and Gary Hansen, of the Burns Recovered Group, The collection occurred on June 7th and 8th at Bellefontaine and Dunn Roads. (click here for information on the Burns Recovered Group)

SPANISH LAKE FIREFIGHTERS RECEIVE BURN UNIT AWARD....

January 12, 2003 - Firefighters union shop steward Novis Lee accepts an award from Joan Spurlock, of Discovery Toys, for the cash donation made by the firefighters to the St. John's Hospital Burn Unit to buy toys for children in the unit over the holidays.