Fire Captain to Receive Medal of Valor for Rescue
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An Alhambra fire captain will receive the Medal of Valor on Saturday for saving the life of a UCLA student who threatened to jump from an eight-story building last year.
Brian Savage responded to a potential suicide call from the Wysong Plaza retirement center. When Savage and his firetruck crew arrived, they found a suicidal UCLA student on the rooftop.
While police officers distracted the student, Savage climbed up to the roof and got on top of a small structure that encased the stairwell. Savage, who was wearing a harness, then jumped down on the student.
“I jumped on him so he could not get off the roof,” Savage said. “It was a once in a lifetime opportunity to save a life.”
The UCLA student, who was experiencing personal problems, has since returned to university.
Savage will receive his medal as part of the annual Fire Service Day during an open house at Fire Station No. 71, 301 N. 1st St.
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