| Name: | Larrence McCormack |
| Gender: | Male |
| Agency: | Chicago Fire Department |
| Type of Firefighter: | Career |
| Rank: | Firefighter |
| Type of Duty: | Firefighter rescue, Firefighting operations, Search and rescue operations |
| Type of Award: | Medal of Honor |
| Year of Award: | 2013 |
| Incident City: | Chicago |
| Year of Incident: | 2011 |
| Incident Location Type: | Residential |
| Incident Attribute: | Fires |
Firefighter Larrence McCormack of Squad 5 of the Chicago Fire Department was awarded the Medal of Honor for his efforts to rescue a firefighter from a residential fire in Chicago, Illinois on August 25, 2011.
Squad 5 was called to a residential fire at 7032 South Justine in the West Englewood neighborhood of Chicago. At the scene, Firefighter McCormack entered the rear of the structure, joining other firefighters who were already there, looking for victims. Then, all of a sudden, the fire unexpectedly increased in intensity. Captain Thomas Ruane and Firefighter Gerald Carter stayed inside to attack the flames with their hoses.
The intense heat of the fire caused Carter to lose control of his handline and become disoriented, which sent Ruane tumbling down the stairwell, leaving Carter alone and unprotected from the raging fire. In the chaotic scene, he lost his helmet. The netting on the back of his SCBA mask melted into his face, dislodging it. McCormack, still in his gear, quickly went up the stairs. As Carter’s PASS alarm sounded, Lieutenant Corey Hojek and Firefighter Jeremy Kain joined McCormack. McCormack found Carter unconscious, dragged him 10 feet to the stairwell, and handed him to Hojeck and Kain. They were able to remove him to safety.
Citations:
“Chicago firefighter Larry McCormack awarded 2012 Ray Downey Courage & Valor Award,” Fire Engineering.com, April 18, 2012.
“Chicago firefighter received Ray Downey Award,” Firehouse.com News, April 19, 2012.
“Firefighting hero credits Oak Lawn training,” Chicago Sun-Times, October 19, 2012.
“Heroism: Chicago Firefighter Larry McCormack, Squad 5,” Firehouse.com News, August 25, 2011.
“Mayor Emanual joins police and fire officials to present the Annual Lambert Tree and Carter Harrison Awards,” City of Chicago, October 9, 2012.