On December 10, while off duty, Chief Brian Taylor responded to a mutual-aid request for the city of Lake Station, Ind. Upon arrival, he learned a second child remained missing at a fully involved structure fire where one child had already been rescued and an adult found deceased.
With complete disregard for his own safety, Chief Taylor entered the smoke-filled burning residence, performed a rapid search and discovered the unconscious three-year-old child on the floor in a back bedroom. He exited the structure with the lifeless child, where he was met by waiting paramedics.
The child was later flown to the University of Chicago where he remained in the ICU for several days. That child has since made a full recovery.
EMS Chief Robert Scott submitted this Valor Award nomination.