Heroic Response To Home Explosion By Fairfax Co. Fire & Rescue Honored

RESTON, VA — Heroic acts performed by 26 members of the Fairfax County Fire & Rescue Department at the scene of a home explosion in Sterling were recognized during the 47th annual Valor Awards Ceremony on Monday.

On Feb. 16, 2024, Fairfax County fire units responded to the scene of a home explosion in Sterling and to assist units from Loudoun County Combined Fire & Rescue Services and the Sterling Volunteer Fire Company.

A 500-gallon underground propane tank caused the explosion, which injured 13 people and killed Sterling volunteer firefighter Trevor Brown.

“It was a chaotic and a very dynamic environment, one we pray that these officers and these first responders will never have to experience again in their careers,” said NBC 4's Joseph Olmo, who served as the ceremony's emcee. “It required the courage, the ingenuity befitting of a medal of valor, for further efforts in providing immediate medical treatment to the injured.”

Related: Loudoun Home Explosion: Challenges With Emergency Response Identified

Hosted by the Greater Reston Chamber of Commerce, the annual awards honor public safety personnel who went above and beyond.

"Fairfax County is blessed to have a public safety system that continually ranks amongst the best in the nation," said Valor Awards Chairman Barry Biggar during the ceremony. "We know, however, that these high marks don't come without sacrifice. We will hear accounts of and we will honor that sacrifice today."

In recognition of their actions responding to the 2024 home explosion, the Bronze Medal of Valor was presented to:

• Technician-EMS Sergey Fedorovsky
• Technician Garrett Irving
• Firefighter Ryan Kaminsk
• Firefighter Casey Sullivan.

For their work in and around the property, including vital coordination with firefighters entering the burning home, maintaining a control perimeter and extinguishing hot spots, providing lighting, removing debris and supporting search and rescue efforts, these first responders received the Silver Medal of Valor:

• Battalion Chief Matthew Burns
• Battalion Chief Reginald Wadley
• Capt. Patrick Sheehan
• Lt. William Kelley
• Master Technician Brian Moore
• Master Technician Kris Sacra
• Master Technician Miguel Obleas
• TechnicianBrian Roberts
• Firefighter Fidel Blanco
• Firefighter Matthew Bui
• Firefighter Dominique Chatelaine
• Firefighter Tyler Hyun Lee

For further valorous actions, entering and working inside the burning structure, often limited to hand saws and tools, with the mission of finding and rescuing trapped and injured firefighters in extremely hazardous and life-threatening conditions, these first responders were presented with the Gold Medal of Valor:

• Capt. Joseph Breslin
• Lt. Robert Elam
• Lt. Michael Kovach
• Technician Brian Bonkoski
• Technician-TROT David Bulman
• Technician-TROT David Feder
• Technician-EMS Bo-Lam “Phillip” Park
• Technician-TROT Adam Scheetz
• Technician-EMS Jonathan Talley
• Firefighter Joseph Long.

"We're thankful to have such highly skilled and dedicated public safety professionals who provide that first response in these harrowing and sometimes life-altering episodes," said Fairfax County Board Chair Jeff McKay. "So often, their response culminates in a warm handoff to one of our local emergency rooms or mental health evaluation centers. It is here that our medical and mental health professionals pick up the baton and help these individuals and their families on their path back, hopefully, to a normal life."

For the first time, the Valor Awards also recognized members of the health services institutions that work alongside the county's first responders.

As a gesture of thanks, McKay presented children's paintings to Keith Morrison, director of emergency preparedness at Reston Hospital Center; Dr. Gene Christian, chief medical officer at Inova Fair Oaks Hospital; and Laura Maddock, director of acute services, at the Fairfax-Falls Church Community Service Board.

This is a first in a series of articles about Fairfax County public safety personnel recognized during Monday's 47th Annual Valor Awards ceremony at the Westfields Marriott Washington Dulles Hotel.