On Monday May 13th, the Carroll County Chamber of Commerce held their 8th annual Public Safety Awards ceremony. Several of our members received lifesaving awards for exemplary actions taken during a April 2023 first-due house fire. Units arrived on scene to find a two story home with smoke showing and reports of people trapped inside. Engine 71 OIC Captain Vince Saurusaitis and Firefighter Nathan Lankford both assisted with the successful rescues of two trapped occupants. Care was handed off to EMS units, who stabilized the patients and transferred care to Maryland State Police Aviation Command. Both patients were flown to the Johns Hopkins Burn Center for further treatment.

Thanks to the bravery, professionalism, and quick thinking of those involved, both trapped occupants survived and were discharged from the hospital in the days after the fire. We would like to congratulate all of our paid and volunteer members who were recognized on their efforts during this call, and for being recognized for their outstanding achievements. Several members from neighboring departments were also recognized for actions taken and we congratulate them as well.

Gold Medal of Valor:

Captain Vince Saurusaitis
Firefighter Nathan Lankford

Bronze Medal of Outstanding Performance:

Paramedic Jennifer Nilsen
FF/EVO Kenneth Crosswhite
EMS Lieutenant Linas Saurusaitis

We would also like to recognize our own FF/EMS Lieutenant Tyler Jaworski for receiving a separate Life Saving Award for exemplary actions taken on a serious motor vehicle crash in Westminster.