Honored for Valor

The Los Angeles City Fire Department held its annual Medal of Valor awards Thursday at the Los Angeles Hilton in honor of 10 firefighters and paramedics.

“They have distinguished themselves by their heroic acts of courage,” said Fire Chief Donald Manning. “We ask the community to join with us in honoring them.”

These are the 10 who were recognized:

Firefighters George E. Duarte of Fire Station 27 and Gregory L. Gilchrist of Fire Station 10 rescued a truck driver and a 14-year-old boy from a freeway crash and fire.

Inspector Jose J. Martinez of the High Rise Unit, Bureau of Fire Prevention and Public Safety, while off duty, saw a pickup truck overturn and burn on June 16, 1990, and he stopped and pulled the two occupants of the truck to safety.

Apparatus Operator John L. Pecel of Fire Station 14, while off duty on Dec. 12, 1989, entered a burning building and rescued a 3-year-old child.

Captain Gilbert B. Ramelli of Fire Station 3, Firefighters Cary M. Fenzke of Station 29, Steve M. Hissong of Station 26, David Rodriguez of Bureau of Support Services and Apparatus Operator Gregory C. Malais of Station 2, rescued several people who were trapped in a high-rise fire on Dec. 5, 1989.

Firefighter Sean P. Wonders of Fire Station 12 re-entered a collapsed burning building on June 25, 1990, and led his injured captain to safety.