Firefighter of the Year Award

2022 Recipient

Jared Lloyd (Awarded Posthumously)

Spring Valley Fire Department

Firefighter of the Year Application Download Application

On March 23, 2021, the Spring Valley Fire Department was dispatched to reported smoke in a building. This is an assisted living facility for handicapped residents and senior citizens unable to live alone.

Upon arriving, the Chief reported flames coming from the roof with people trapped on the second floor. Arriving on the scene, the crew of 17-Tanker, the first-due engine, quickly recognized that this would be a life-saving operation, and immediately entered the building to begin searching for trapped victims.

Room after room, stairwell after stairwell and hallway after hallway, Firefighter Jared Lloyd, along with other firefighters from multiple departments, searched for victims. Over the course of 53 minutes, multiple trapped, helpless victims were removed from the smoke-filled building by Lloyd. With their Viber alarms sounding, indicating that they were in the danger zone for low air, the last victim was handed off to other firefighters that were in the hall.

Lloyd and another firefighter began to make their way out of the building, but Lloyd soon became disoriented and put out a mayday that he was trapped in Room 306. Unbeknownst to Lloyd, he was not the only firefighter in need of assistance. All firefighters were ordered to evacuate the building, making it impossible for crews to rescue Lloyd.

When a new member applies for membership in the Spring Valley FD, they indicate that they are willing to volunteer their service for the welfare of the Village of Spring Valley and its paid districts and that they are willing to do for their neighbor in case of fire as they would expect the neighbor to do for them. They are advised that a volunteer firefighter’s service is to the community and his or her reward is honor and respect, and that faithful service is the test.

On the morning of March 23, 2021, Firefighter Jared Lloyd volunteered his service for the welfare of the residents of Evergreen Court Home for Adults, the staff members and for the firefighters on the scene. He did for those residents as he would have expected us to do for him, which led to the ultimate sacrifice of his life for everyone.

Lloyd’s actions not only saved many of the residents and staff members, but he was also personally responsible for saving the life of a brother firefighter. If Lloyd was here today, many would be thanking him for all he did that night.

Adapted from a nomination by Spring Valley FD Chief Kenneth Conjura

Past Award Recipients