HONOLULU -- U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Pacific and the office of the mayor of the city and county of Honolulu recognized military and civilian first responders during the First Responder Recognition Ceremony at the Neal S. Blaisdell Center in Honolulu, Dec. 18. 2015.
The first responders aided in the rescue and treatment of the crew and passengers of a 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit MV-22 Osprey, which suffered a mishap at Marine Corps Training Area Bellows, Hawaii, May 17, 2015.
Lt. Gen. John A. Toolan, MARFORPAC commander, led the ceremony to honor the organizations and individuals who selflessly rushed to assist and treat the Marines and Sailor during and after the mishap.
“Many of the people that we are about to honor work for the city and county of Honolulu as police officers, firefighters, life guards and emergency medical service providers,” Toolan said. “These men and women work diligently and stand watch on our behalf every day of the year.”
During the ceremony, 94 first responders from different Honolulu organizations – Honolulu Emergency Services Department, Honolulu Fire Department and Honolulu Police Department – were recognized for their services. Thirty-seven employees from EMS, 47 firefighters from HFD and 10 policemen from HPD were all honored during the ceremony for their courageous acts.
“We are so used to running to the sound of chaos when often times others may run away, but that Sunday morning it was those first responders, other service members and our civilian friends and neighbors who immediately and instinctively ran toward that chaos and helped save the lives of those on that aircraft,” Toolan said.
On the day of the mishap, 18 military and civilian personnel quickly rescued and provided treatment to the service members despite the danger from fire and fumes. They also assisted in maintaining order and helping other first responders and medical personnel navigate to the crash site.
“They did all of this selflessly with only the care for fellow men in their hearts,” Toolan said.
Each department received a Certificate of Commendation for exceptional service, and each of the first responders received a Letter of Appreciation from Lt. Gen. Toolan. Acting HPD Deputy Chief Clayton Kau, HFD Battalion 3/1 Chief Damien Kahaulelio and Emergency Service Department Director Mark Rigg accepted the Certificates of Commendation for their respective departments.
The Mayor of Honolulu Kirk Caldwell shared a story from one of the first responders, “Local folks at the beach were running to where explosions were happening, along with the first responders pulling people out, putting them in their trucks and driving to the emergency rooms making sure our hospitals were taking care of them without anyone saying to do it,” Caldwell explained. “Their heart, soul and conscience said to them – we need to step up … I felt as mayor nothing but pride; it showed that our community is in good shape, that when bad things happen, without being told or asked, they stepped forward.”