by GINGER ADAMS OTIS
Uniformed Firefighters' Association President Stephen J. Cassidy has been tapped by President Bush to serve on the review board for the Medal of Valor, the highest national award for public safety officers.
The White House Dec. 20 announced its intention to appoint Mr. Cassidy to a four-year term on the Medal of Valor review board for firefighters as of Jan. 1.
'A Tremendous Honor'
"To be able to bring my personal experience to [this] is a tremendous honor," said Mr. Cassidy. "I certainly know what courage is all about because I've seen it day in and day out from the best firefighters in the world. I look forward to performing this service."
The review board was created in 2002 to honor police officers, firefighters, public safety officers and emergency service personnel with a national award similar to the Medal of Honor that's bestowed each year upon members of the military who have performed beyond the call of duty.
Recent recipients of the Medal of Valor include Jennifer Fulford, a Deputy Sheriff in Orange County, Fla., who was shot more than 10 times - once in her gun hand - while trying to rescue two small children who had called 911 to report "strangers" had entered their house. Deputy Fulford was able to pick up her weapon and shoot until the robbers were on the ground.
Former firefighters who have been honored include Edward F. Henry, of Charleston, S.C., who single-handedly rescued three victims from a burning building in advance of responding fire trucks, and Battalion Chief Gene F. Large Jr., of Fort Walton Beach, Fla.
Rescued Five
Battalion Chief Large saved two drowning victims and three first-responders attempting to rescue them. A dangerous riptide had exhausted the five individuals and rough seas prevented hovering Coast Guard vessels from retrieving them. Chief Large grabbed a rescue board and swam to the group, ordering them to hang on and kick together in unison with the waves, which eventually pulled them out of the fast-moving current.
Mr. Cassidy said that he hoped during his four-year tenure to have an opportunity to award the Medal of Valor to a firefighter.
The union leader has maintained close ties with Republican lawmakers in Washington since breaking ranks with the International Association of Fire Fighters in 2004 and endorsing President Bush for re-election during the Republican National Convention.
But, in an effort to move along legislation supporting firefighters and emergency personnel, he has developed warm relationships with several Democratic officials as well, particularly U.S. Senator Hillary Clinton, whom he endorsed for reelection this fall.
Governor-elect Eliot Spitzer, who was also backed by the UFA, recently appointed Mr. Cassidy to his Homeland Security Transition Committee.
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