5 days ago
Medina fire chief honored for saving woman trapped in burning home
MEDINA, Ohio (WJW) – Medina Fire Chief Larry Walters is being honored by the state of Ohio for his heroic actions to save a woman trapped inside her burning home.
It was in October 2024 when authorities in Medina County responded to a house fire on Branch Road in York Township.
Among them was Walters, who said at the time that firefighters knew they had to move quickly after learning that a 31-year-old woman was trapped in the smoke-filled basement.
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Some of the first responders found a basement window that they smashed out and spoke with the victim, who warned them that she was not tall enough to reach the window.
Unfortunately, because of the small window, their first rescue attempt was unsuccessful.
With the flames closing in, Walters volunteered to climb down into the basement, where he told the terrified victim that he would make sure that she got out safely.
The rescue team outside handed the chief a firefighter's tool called a Halligan bar that he used to help pushed the woman up and out the window into the waiting arms of the other first responders.
'The fact that she was out was a big relief,' said Walters.
The chief remained in the basement as he tried in vain to save the victim's dog, but he soon realized that he was running out of time. That's when he used the Halligan bar to step up toward the window.
His fellow rescuers helped him climb out and then pulled him away from the burning house just before it became fully engulfed in flames.
Walters said the rescue of the victim is a testament to teamwork.
'All of the right people were there at the right time in the right places, doing the right things and we had a good outcome as a result of it,' he said.
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For his courage under fire, the state of Ohio honored Walters with its Fire Service Valor Award.
As part of the ceremony in Columbus, the woman saved by the chief , 31-year-old Gina Curie, appeared in a video about the rescue and was able to express her gratitude.
'The award is definitely well, well deserved. Never did I think that I was going to be in this situation but I can't be more thankful for the whole department, York Township and Medina, and saving me so I can be there for my children every day,' she said.
That means much more to Walters than any award.
'Knowing that she has two young children and a family that she gets to continue to watch grow and be a part of, that's very satisfying, very rewarding,' he said.
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