By Mary Jane Dittmar
The Ray Downey Courage and Valor Award, presented by the Fire Engineering Courage and Valor Foundation, commemorates the life and career achievements of Deputy Chief Ray Downey, chief of rescue operations and 39-year veteran of the Fire Department of New York (FDNY). Chief Downey was killed while commanding rescue operations at the World Trade Center attacks on September 11, 2001. He was the most highly decorated firefighter in the history of FDNY.
In addition to his great courage as a firefighter, Chief Downey was nationally known for his pioneering efforts in the field of technical rescue and was the unofficial leader of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) urban search and rescue teams he trained for disaster response throughout the United States and the world. Chief Downey commanded rescue operations at many difficult and complex disasters, including the Oklahoma City Bombing, the 1993 World Trade Center Bombing, and many natural disasters worldwide.
Through his teaching, articles, instructional videos, and his book, The Rescue Company, Chief Downey made a profound and lasting impact on thousands of firefighters throughout the United States. He was a beloved member of the Fire Engineering and Fire Department Instructors Conference advisory boards. Chief Downey reached a level that, both professionally and personally, few achieve.
For his lifetime of unparalleled service to firefighters and citizens alike, and in remembrance of the courage and valor exemplified many times throughout his life, it is fitting that the Courage and Valor Award, presented to one extraordinarily courageous American firefighter each year, bear the name of Ray Downey, a truly extraordinary man.
The award is presented annually at the FDIC Opening Ceremony in Indianapolis, Indiana; it is considered the most prestigious award in the American fire service. The award consists of a Courage and Valor medal and a $35,000 monetary gift.
The Courage and Valor Selection Committee is comprised of members of the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation; the National Fire Academy Alumni Association; Ray Downey’s two sons, FDNY Battalion Chief Joe Downey and FDNY Battalion Chief Chuck Downey; and representatives of Fire Engineering.
Previous award recipients include the following:
- 2002. Deputy Chief Ray Downey, FDNY (posthumously); accepted by his widow Rosalie Downey and family.
- 2003. Firefighter Derek D. Martin, St. Louis (MO) Fire Department (posthumously); accepted by his widow Angela Jeanine Martin.
- 2004. Captain Douglas McDonald, Novato (CA) Fire Protection District.
- 2005. Captain John Taylor, Philadelphia (PA) Fire Department (posthumously); accepted by his widow Charlene Taylor.
- 2006. Senior Firefighter Sean Neary, Detroit (MI) Fire Department;
- 2007. Lieutenant Howard Carpluk, FDNY (posthumously); accepted by widow Debra and family;
- 2008. Lieutenant Michael Cabral, Fall River (MA) Fire Department; and
- 2009. Firefighter Anthony Rueda, Milwaukee (WI) Fire Department.
Download a PDF of the 2010 Ray Downey Courage & Valor Award nominees HERE (205 Kb).
The Ray Downey Courage and Valor Award will be presented during the FDIC 2010 Opening Ceremony on Wednesday, April 21, 8:30 a.m.-10:00 a.m. in Indianapolis, Indiana.
MARY JANE DITTMAR is senior associate editor of Fire Engineering and conference manager of FDIC. Before joining the magazine in January 1991, she served as editor of a trade magazine in the health/nutrition market and held various positions in the educational and medical advertising fields. She has a bachelor’s degree in English/journalism and a master’s degree in communication arts.
