June 5, 2021
On Friday, Governor Ralph Northam announced the recipients of the 2020 Governor’s Fire Service Awards. Established in 2002, the Governor’s Fire Service Awards recognize outstanding achievement in Virginia’s Fire Service and are sponsored by the Virginia Department of Fire Programs in association with the Virginia Fire Services Board.
Fire Chief John Butler, along with Loudoun County Fire and Rescue Chief Keith Johnson, was honored with the Excellence in Virginia Fire Services Award for implementing his Field Available Component Transfusion Response (FACT R) program, which included blood through 911 resources Trauma patient supplies. Loudoun County Combined Fire and Rescue System and Fairfax County Fire Rescue Department, in collaboration with the Northern Virginia EMS Council, Inova Health System, Inova Trauma and Blood Donor Service, launched a novel preclinical blood program called Field Available Component Transfusion Response (FACT R. ). ) Program. FACT R is a breakthrough program that delivers life-saving training and aids to first responders, dramatically improving local care. The idea for this program came after answering a collective response that required a blood transfusion on site, which ultimately saved the lives of the trapped victims. This innovative program is the first of its kind in Germany to offer this level of performance.
In addition, Christopher Puzzanghero, the firefighter for the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department, was named Virginia Career Firefighter of the Year. FF Puzzanghero’s connection to the department dates back to high school when he spent time as an explorer and volunteer. Now, with more than a decade in the fire service, Puzzanghero actively seeks local and national education and uses his own time and money to perfect his craft. In addition, he always strives to share his knowledge and experience with his crew, battalion, department and the rest of the fire department. As an Associate Instructor in Recruiting and Field Training in Fairfax County, the Department of Fire Programs, and a private fire training company, he strives to go from newest recruit to senior firefighter in order to provide the best possible service. He has proven on many occasions that he makes tactful decisions under pressure, and his department is better and safer to do his job. His valiant efforts to respond were seen on June 7, 2017, when he acted quickly to rescue another firefighter who fell in a basement in a building fire.
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