Firefighter of the Year!!

Nomination for Hickory Elks Exceptional Firefighter
Of the Year for 2007
Submitted by the Hickory Fire Department

Brian Murray
Position: Captain
Years with Department: September 23, 1991 to present
Spouse: Donna
Children: Jacob, age 8 and Olivia, age 2

Brian Murray’s interest in firefighting started as a volunteer firefighter with Gamewell Fire Department in 1989. The Hickory Fire Department hired him on September 23, 1991. Murray is certified as a Fire Service Instructor level II through the North Carolina Fire & Rescue Commission and a level II firefighter. He is also holds a Fire Inspector Level I certification. In 2001, he was certified as an EMT and in 2003, an EMT- intermediate. He is currently working to obtain an associate degree in Emergency Preparedness. He teaches courses through local colleges.

One example of Brian’s dedication occurred when he and his crew responded to a structure fire on August 14, 2005. The mobile home was on fire and a victim was reported inside the burning structure. Within minutes, the victim, who was not breathing, was located and pulled from the burning building. Firefighters then started patient treatment and the victim was transported to a local hospital, where he was stabilized and lived.

However, the most recent event that challenged Brian’s training occurred on January 10, 2008. Brian was home taking care of his daughter, Olivia age 2 because she had been sick. Brian heard her coughing and went to check on her. As he walked into the room, she vomited. Brian turned her over to remove the vomit. At that point she went limp and stopped breathing. She had choked on her own vomit and was turning blue. Brian carried her downstairs to the phone, called 911 and started CPR. While performing CPR, he was able to revive her and 911 operators could hear her crying. The ambulance soon arrived and she was transported to Caldwell Memorial Hospital where she was kept over night. Doctors found she had pneumonia and RSV, which is a very serious respiratory problem for young children. Presently, she is doing well and has no complications from the incident.

Emergency personnel are always prepared to respond to incidents to help the public but very few are given the opportunity to save their own family. Olivia is very lucky that her daddy had the training and presence of mind to react in the proper manner. On the other hand, Brian is extremely thankful that he has his little girl.

We are very proud of Brian and his accomplishments and feel that he is an excellent nomination for Hickory Elks Exceptional Firefighter of the Year for 2007.

Submitted on January 30, 2008 by Terri Byers