The Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) Foundation, hosted the 2021 VALOR Awards ceremony on November 10, 2021 at Dodger Stadium. This annual celebration honors exemplary LAFD members for outstanding service above and beyond the call of duty.

Firefighter Aaron King received the Department’s highest honor, the Medal of Valor, for preventing a stranger’s suicide attempt at extreme personal risk to himself.

In addition to the presentation of the Medal of Valor, Metropolitan Fire Communications received the inaugural Division of the Year Award. The Annenberg Foundation was presented with the Community Impact Award, and Caruso received the Corporate Impact Award.

Firefighter/Paramedic Chadwick Qualley and Firefighter David Stigger each received a Letter of Special Commendation for their actions during a dangerous rescue operation at the scene of multi-vehicle freeway collision.

For the first time in the Department's 135-year history, 21 members were recognized for their involvement and actions relating to a single incident - the horrific Boyd Street Explosion, which occurred on May 16, 2020. Nine members were presented with the Fire Chief's Certificate of Appreciation. Ten members were awarded a Letter of Special Commendation, and two particularly brave members accepted the Medal of Merit.

NBC4 Anchor and Reporter Robert Kovacik graciously served as the emcee for his fifth consecutive VALOR ceremony. As the LAFD Foundation’s signature fundraising event of the year, the VALOR Awards brought together more than 500 guests including LAFD Fire Chief Ralph Terrazas; business and community partners; civic leaders and elected officials; volunteers; friends and family members. The event included displays of LAFD apparatus, including digital fire extinguisher demos and an in-program demonstration by the Arson Canine Unit.

Click below to view a recording of the live ceremony or view the the VALOR online photo album.

NOTE: ceremony video begins at the 34:45 mark.

2021 HONOREES

MEDAL OF VALOR

Firefighter III Aaron King

MEDAL OF MERIT

Captain II Victor Aguirre

Apparatus Operator Ian Soriano

LETTER OF SPECIAL COMMENDATION

Firefighter/Paramedic Jose Carreon

Firefighter III Carlos Cativo

Firefighter III Jacob Gonzalez

Apparatus Operator Garrett Lew

Emergency Incident Technician Marcus Meza

Firefighter III Ian Moore

Firefighter/Paramedic John Norton

Firefighter/Paramedic Chadwick Qualley

Captain I Lawrence Salas

Firefighter/Paramedic Sergio Saenz

Firefighter III Daniel Stalie

Firefighter II David Stigger

FIRE CHIEF'S CERTIFICATE OF APPRECIATION

Captain I Ed Barkley

Engineer Scott Brennan

Firefighter Nick Estrada

Firefighter/Paramedic Kenneth Fraser

Firefighter/Paramedic Joseph Giesregen

Firefighter/Paramedic Stephen Osterberg

Firefighter/Paramedic Ryan Ramirez

Firefighter/Paramedic Andrew Tom

Engineer Mark Tostado

DIVISION OF THE YEAR

Metropolitan Fire Communications

2021 VALOR honorees gathered in the dugout at Dodger Stadium.