PG County Fireman Named 'National Firefighter of the Year' by American Legion

PRINCE GEORGE'S COUNTY, MD — The American Legion has named Prince George's County Assistant Fire Chief Darren O. Ware its "2017 National Firefighter of the Year" for his heroic efforts in saving a woman trapped in a burning SUV last year.

The American Legion will honor Ware in July in Ocean City, Md., and he will attend the organization's 99th National Convention in Reno, Nevada the next month for presentation of the award at the National Commander's Banquet.

Ware had already been awarded the PG County Fire/EMS Department's Gold Medal of Valor for his "quick thinking and heroic efforts that saved the life of a female victim who was experiencing a medical emergency while trapped inside her burning SUV," according to a statement from the fire department.

The incident unfolded on April 20, 2016, after Ware had conducted funeral services for a member killed in the line of duty. While heading home, he noticed smoke on the road ahead of him on Route 301 and realized it was a vehicle fire.

"He was surprised, however, to discover an adult female driver still inside," the report states. "After contacting Public Safety Communications for resources, he attempted to remove the victim from the vehicle. His efforts were unsuccessful, as all four doors were locked; and the woman was unresponsive to his instruction to open the door."

As the fire grew hotter and hotter, Ware rushed back to his vehicle looking for a tool to open the vehicle with. Around this time, retired PG County Fire/EMS Lieutenant Colonel Tyrone Wells, who was also returning from the funeral, arrived to provide assistance. They were able to get a construction tool from a bystander and tried again to open the vehicle.

Then, things took a turn for the worse.

"Forcible entry was in progress when the victim inadvertently stepped on the gas pedal, driving the vehicle down the slope and off the shoulder of the road," the report states. "The fire was now at a difficult angle with extension into the engine compartment, posing greater peril to an already demanding situation. The SUV’s new position had rendered the driver’s side inaccessible."

Ware, Wells, and the bystander managed to climb down the slope and access the passenger side of the vehicle, and pulled the woman from the vehicle. The woman miraculously survived the incident unscathed.

Image via PGFD