FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 20, 2016
MEDIA: Cassie Bate 
Events & Development Director

IN VALOR THERE IS HOPE: LOCAL HEROES HONORED
AT THE 34th ANNUAL VALOR AWARDS 
Presented by the Arlington Chamber of Commerce
 
2016 Valor Awards recipients with Emcee Doug Hill
Arlington, VA The Arlington Chamber of Commerce held the  34th Ann ual Valor Awards  on Tuesday, April 19, 2016 at the  Fort Myer Officers' Club . The awards ceremony was held to honor  heroes of Arlington County  Public Safety personnel including the Police Department, Fire Department, Office of the Sheriff, and Office of Emergency Management. 
 

Fifteen honorees were recognized for their courageous, often lifesaving actions in the line of duty. More than one hundred and fifty attendees of the Valor Awards heard stories of acts of heroism .

"In valor there is hope" began Arlington Chamber Chair Todd Yeatts of The Boeing Company in his remarks. These words are inscribed over the names of six police officers who gave their lives in service to the citizens of Arlington County.  On an afternoon of celebration for the heroic efforts of many first responders, the event opened with a recognition of those whose service resulted in the ultimate sacrifice.

Arlington County Fire Department Award recipients with President & CEO Kate Bates and 2016 Chair Todd Yeatts
One group of honorees from the Arlington County Fire Department included 
Lieutenant   Robert Bowen, Captain II Trevor Burrell, Firefighter/EMT III Nate Buchanan and Kurt Zepeda, Firefighter/EMT II Leslie Bates, Joaquin Ibarra, and Corey Sherrill. On the afternoon of January 27, 2015 Engine 101M, Medic 101, and EMS 111 were dispatched to a call for a critically injured man on the sidewalk at 3621 Columbia Pike. Due to his injuries the man was in a confused and agitated state which prohibited the crew from assessing and treating him. An eyewitness had footage of a driver intentionally reversing their car over the patient, then pulling forward, and reversing again to run over him a second time before fleeing the scene. This information was passed on to the Fire Department team as they started advanced life saving measures. The patient was later transported to George Washington University Hospital where the hospital performed hours of surgery - ultimately saving his life. Several months later the patient was able to walk out of the hospital and was recognized by George Washington University as a trauma survivor of the year. The Arlington County Police Department conducted an intensive investigation and were successful in convicting the driver of the SUV. The efforts of the Arlington County Fire Department were a key component in saving this man's life, but it was an outstanding group effort by all personnel involved. 
 
In addition to the honorees,  Virginia Hospital Center  CEO  Jim Cole  shared a story about the quick thinking and strategic actions of  Patient Care Director Lisa Tobin, RN  who rushed to secure patients when a fire broke out in the Pulmonary Unit. Once all patients were secured, Lisa located a fire extinguisher and was able to stop the flames. Within less than a day, full-service patient care was reinstated and operations were able to continue.

Leadership of all respective departments submitted nominations for Valor Award honorees based on their performance over the past year. A selection committee chose the final winners, which were honored at the ceremony. The 2016 Arlington Chamber of Commerce Valor Award Honorees are as follows:  
 
Arlington County Office of Emergency Management
Deputy Coordinator Debbie Powers- Meritorious Service Award

Arlington County Office of the Sheriff
Corporal Charles Butler  Meritorious Service Award
 
Arlington County Police Department
Officer Charles Bane - Meritorious Service Award
Officer Matthew Chattillion & Officer Korinna George -  Team Life Saving Award
Corporal Phillip Mulvaney - Life Saving Award
Officer Ryan Williams - Life Saving Award

Arlington County Fire Department
Kathleen Keller - Meritorious Service Award
Lieutenant  Robert Bowen, Captain II Trevor Burrell, Firefighter/EMT III Nate Buchanan and Kurt Zepeda, Firefighter/EMT II Leslie Bates, Joaquin Ibarra, and Corey Sherrill - Team Life Saving Award
 
The ceremony began with a Presentation of the Colors by a combined Honor Guard representing the Arlington County Safety personnel, and the Pledge of Allegiance led by Col. Michael Henderson Commander, Joint Base of Myer-Henderson Hall . Chamber Chair Todd Yeatts   welcomed guests to the event, then introduced emcee  Doug Hill , Vice President, Weather and Chief Meteorologist for  ABC7 /WJLA-TV and News Channel 8
  
For more information about the awards ceremony, detailed information on the honorees, please contact Cassie Bate, Events & Development Director, at (703) 525-2400 or cbate@arlingtonchamber.org .
 
Special thanks to this year's sponsors, including Grand Sponsor Virginia Hospital Center, Award Sponsor Dominion and Honor Guard Sponsor George Washington University   for making this ceremony possible.
 
 
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Founded in 1924, the Arlington Chamber of Commerce is a member-centric, volunteer-based, non-profit organization of over 1,800 business and professional people committed to the economic and civic well being of the community. For more information or to become a member, visit
www.arlingtonchamber.org

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