FOOLS VP to Receive Ray Downey Courage and Valor Award
| By:
Sharon K. Willis publicinfo@foolsinternational.com FOOLS International Public Information Officer |
Eric J. Hankins, vice president of the Fraternal Order of the Leatherheads Society, member of the NorCal FOOLS chapter, and a captain in the Yuba City, Calif., fire department, was named the recipient of the 2010 Ray Downey Courage and Valor Award for his heroic actions that saved the lives of two young children last year.
The Ray Downey Courage and Valor Award is presented annually by the Fire Engineering Courage and Valor Foundation. The award is named for FDNY Deputy Chief Ray Downey, who lost his life while commanding rescue operations at the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001. A 39-year veteran, Chief Downey was the most highly decorated firefighter in the history of the Fire Department of New York. The award is given each year to a firefighter who demonstrates extraordinary courage and valor in rescue missions.
In January, 2009, Capt. Hankins singlehandedly saved two children from a burning home while off duty. The children, both toddlers, were home alone when the fire broke out. Hankins noticed the smoke and flames as he was driving by, and immediately returned to help. He encountered their frantic mother who was screaming for someone to save her children. Despite heavy smoke and increasingly deteriorating conditions, without personal protective equipment and at risk to his own life, Hankins entered the home and successfully located a child, whom he pulled to safety. At that point he learned there was another child still inside, so he once again entered the burning structure and made the second rescue. Once the children were turned over to ambulance crews, he returned to help battle the fire, and only after it was extinguished did he seek medical attention for himself. For his actions, Capt. Hankins was also awarded the California State Firefighters Association Medal of Valor.
The Ray Downey Courage and Valor Award is presented during the annual Fire Department Instructors Conference (FDIC) in Indianapolis. FDIC is the world's largest training event, bringing together more than 30,000 fire service professionals each year.
“Chief Downey was an idol of mine early in my career,” said Capt. Hankins, an 18-year veteran of the fire service. “The fact that he still had so much passion for the job after all those years made me want to be the best possible fireman I could be. I am extremely humbled by this award.”
