Firefighter William Towers and Battalion Chief Anthony Coleman were nominated last night for the Medal of Honor. Fire Chief Chad Scaldo said “Their bravery and selflessness in the face of danger during a past fire is truly deserving of this prestigious award.”

The narrative for the award recommendation reads:

On May 01, 2020 Indian Harbour Beach Volunteer Fire Department responded to a fourth floor unit at Harbour Royale Condos that was heavily involved in fire and smoke. Command advised there was also a resident trapped on the enclosed balcony. Upon Ladder Truck 56’s arriving a female was seen trapped on the fourth floor yelling for help while thick black smoke rushed through the sliding glass door opening. Firefighter Towers and Battalion Chief Anthony Coleman risking their own lives, ascend the aerial ladder to the fourth floor without hose line protection and rescued the citizen trapped there, escorting her down the ladder to safety. Despite intense fire and heavy smoke they both remained composed and focused on their mission, ultimately saving her life.

Immediately after the rescue, Firefighter Towers and Battalion Chief Coleman ascended the stairs to the fourth floor with a high-rise pack. Towers and Coleman then made connection to the standpipe system and made the initial suppression attack on the fire until mutual aid units arrived.

Firefighter Towers and Chief Coleman are dedicated members of our community and are outstanding example of the courage and commitment it takes to be a Volunteer Firefighter. Both embodies the values of service, selflessness, and bravery that the Medal of Honor represents, and I wholeheartedly believe both of these individuals are deserving of the Medal of Honor.