The Los Angeles Fire Department hosted its Awards Luncheon on Thursday, November 12, 2015, at The L.A. Hotel Downtown. The event, made possible by the Los Angeles Fire Department Foundation, honored 31 LAFD Firefighters and Paramedics who have demonstrated bravery at great personal risk to his or her own life to save another. Honorees were recognized for their valiant efforts with the presentation of the Department’s highest honors, the Lifetime Achievement Award, Medal of Valor, Medal of Merit and Letter of Special Commendation.

“The men and women of the LAFD put their lives on the line every day in protection and support of the residents of Los Angeles,” said LAFD Fire Chief Ralph M. Terrazas. “It is an honor to recognize those individuals who truly went above and beyond their call of duty and surpassed even the normally high expectations we demand.”

The LAFD responded to more than 436,000 calls for help in 2014, in a city with a population of approximately 4 million. Committed to safety, the men and women of the LAFD are trained to confront threats and dangers the rest of us attempt to avoid. 

“The Los Angeles Fire Department Foundation is fully committed to supporting the heroes of the LAFD who work tirelessly to protect our city daily,” said Karen Wagener, president of the Los Angeles Fire Department Foundation. “We are pleased to recognize these brave men and women, and honored to have them as role models for the city of Los Angeles.” 

Some of the recipients honored as part of the LAFD Awards included: 
• Deputy Chief (ret.) Reynaldo “Rey” Rojo: Lifetime Achievement Award for 36 years of service and 30 years of continued community involvement after retirement
• Daniel Apodaca: Medal of Valor recipient for an off duty rescue of three men after their boat capsized in Diamond Valley Lake
• Miguel Meza: Medal of Valor recipient for being the first to respond to a submerged automobile in the Port of Los Angeles. Meza dove into the harbor, rescue two adults and continued to attempt further rescue in the waters until a dive team arrived
• John M. Davis and Adam R. Fisher: Medal of Merit recipients for rescuing three adults and their dog from the third story balcony of a burning building
• Capt. Douglas Weber: Medal of Merit recipient for rescuing a fellow firefighter from a burning building.