St. James Volunteer Firefighter Awarded Medal of Valor

A St. James volunteer firefighter and Suffolk County Marshal was recently awarded a Medal of Valor for his efforts during a house fire last August.

On August 4, 2015 during a severe thunderstorm, the St. James Fire Department received calls for electrical wires down in the area.

One of the wires caused began to burn near a Sunny Road home at about 5 a.m.

Firefighter Kevin Peterson was the first on the scene and he notified First Assistant Chief Ryan Davis that the home was involved in a working fire. Shortly after, Peterson went to the front door to warn the residents of the fire when he was knocked off the front porch after receiving an electric shock from touching the door.

Despite the shock, he was able to get on his feet and alert the residents. All the occupants of the home escaped without injury.

As additional St. James Fire Department units arrived, Peterson reported all the residents have escaped safely from the home.

While firefighters were putting out the fire, Peterson was evaulated but refused any medical treatment.

On Sept.25, Peterson was awarded the Vocational Education and Extension Board’s Silver Medal of Valor at the Suffolk County Medal of Valor ceremony.

He was joined by his family and fellow firefighters at the awards presentation.

Photo captions:

1 – Pictured from left are St. James Fire Department Captain Dan Keegan, Medal of Valor recipient Firefighter Kevin Peterson, Assistant Chief Dave Mills, and Ex-Chief Robert Crane.

2 – St. James Firefighter Kevin Peterson proudly shows his Medal of Valor award to his family at the Suffolk County Medal of Valor Ceremony. From left, are daughter Olivia, 14, a St. James junior firefighter, wife Stacy, Kevin Peterson, and daughter Emily, 16.

Photos courtesy Dennis Whittam, Info via Steve Silverman