On Wednesday evening May 5 2010 five members of the Red Knights Pa2 traveled to the Lower Merion Township Building to show their support to Charter Member John Hofstetter who was going to be receiving a Heroism Award for his actions at a water rescue on August 22 2009.
The award read:
Awarded for an Act of Outstanding Courage at Great Personal Risk Firefighter John Hofstetter Station 24, Gladwyne Fire Company
On the evening of August 22 2009 a torrential rainstorm created significant flash flooding throughout Lower Merion Township. At 7:53 pm the Gladwyne Fire Company was dispatched to the SEPTA underpass on Penn Road at Wynewood Road for a water rescue. Several occupied vehicles were submerged in the underpass as a result of the torrential rain.
Firefighter John Hofstetter responded to the location and observed two vehicles partially submerged in the underpass, which was filled with water ranging in depths of 10 to 12 feet. Firefighter John Hofstetter without regard for his own safety and welfare, and along with Lower Merion Police Officer and a Paramedic from Narberth Ambulance entered the flooded underpass swimming to the submerged vehicle. Upon reaching the vehicle he observed the driver, Terri Grey and her son, trapped in the vehicle. He realized that the presuure of the water made it impossible to open the doors and utilized a haligan bar to break the vehicle's rear window. Firefighter Hofstetter then immediately assisted Mrs. Grey and her son out of the vehicle and to the top of Wynne Road out of harms way.
The actions of Firefighter Hofstetter displayed outstanding courage, at great personal risk which resulted in saving the lives of two township residents and for this your community is grateful. The Board of Commissioners applauds his service and the commitment which he provided to the citizens and visitors to our great community. We are pleased to join in this public recognition and commend him for his act of bravery acted in a manner that saved the lives of two civilians.
Signed By:
President Bruce D. Reed
Commissioner Paul McLihansy, Chairman Fire Committee
Chief Fire Officer/ Fire Marshall Charles McGarcey
Attested By:
Eileen R. Trainer, Township Secretary Dated this fifth day of May, 2010 at Ardmore, Pa.
Medic Albert Davey of the Volunteer Medical Services Corps of Lower Merion and Narberth also received and award for the same incident. Fire Chief Thomas Hayden Jr. of Merion Fire Company of Ardmore received an award of his heroic act at a Building fire which he showed outstanding courage at great personal risk entering a building fire by him self to search and rescue a resident on January 30 2010. All three of these awards can be seen below.
The Officers and Members of the Red Knights Pa 2 would like to congratulate Chief Hayden, Firefighter Hofstetter, and Medic Davey on receiving these awards, and thank them for their commitment to serving the community and the Emergency Services.
L/R Chief Thomas Hayden, Medic Albert Davey, Firefighter John Hofstetter
John Hofstetter with his parents
Medic Albert Davey with his wife and children
L/R Asst. Ride Captain Andy Powell, Ride Captain Steve Monaham, Quartermaster Ronald Scott, Charter Member John Hofstetter, Secretary Shannon Dowlin, President Frank Dowlin
Chief Thomas Hayden and his son
Gladwyn Fire Company, Firefighter Hofstetter in front
