Firefighter Ryan Horvath Receives Valor Award

Firefighter Ryan Horvath received a Valor Award from the Middlesex County 200 Club on May 15 for his heroic efforts at a house fire on Harrell Avenue on August 14 of last year.

FF Horvath and Lt. Robert Paul responded to a residential basement fire. Once inside, with smoke and fire conditions, they began to descend the stairway. Lt. Paul fell backwards and lost his helmet and face mask. FF Horvath managed to grab Lt. Paul and support both of them on the stairway, imbedding his hands into the stairway wall. After being able to secure his helmet and face mask, Lt. Paul, disoriented by his fall, led FF Horvath away from the exit, to the rear of the residence. Noticing a light from a window, FF Horvath led Lt. Paul to the window and called for a ladder due to the side of the residence being elevated. The Lt. exited via ladder and FF Horvath exited through an adjoining window.

The 200 Club of Middlesex County http://www.middlesex200club.org/ recognizes that throughout the US and in our own communities men and women are called upon to risk their lives in the cause of our safety. Members of local, county and state law enforcement, fire departments, first aid and rescue squads represent the first line of defense to threats to our public safety.

The 200 Club is an organization dedicated to proving to these important public servants that they do not stand alone.

The 200 Club is made up of leaders of business, industry, labor, public safety and other professions whose goal is to provide financial assistance and comfort to families of public safety officials who are killed or injured in the line of duty. The 200 Club awards thousands of dollars in scholarships each year to the children of those families.