Pleasant Valley Opportunity Club Names Firefighter of the Year

Feb 11th, 2009

Mobile Firefighter James Hunter, 32, a veteran with over 2 years with Mobile Fire-Rescue Department was presented the Firefighter of the Year Award for 2008 by the Pleasant Valley Opportunity Club Wednesday morning, February 11. Hunter was given the honor for his actions on May 14, 2008 during a ship fire at Bender Shipyard. Hunter was also selected as Firefighter of the Month in May by the Opportunity Club. This is Hunter’s second Firefighter of the Year honor for 2008; the first was received from the Insurance Professionals of Mobile.

On Wednesday, May 14, 2008 at approximately 1:39 p.m. Mobile Fire-Rescue units were dispatched to a fire on board the approximately 200-250 foot vessel Seacor Sherman docked at Bender Shipyard located at 601 Water Street.

3 Engines, 1 Ladder Truck, 1 Rescue Truck, Fireboat 2 (The Phoenix) and a District Chief were sent on the initial dispatch. Deputy Chief Richard Brannon responded from Central Fire Station when the first unit arrived, reporting heavy smoke coming from the vessel. When Chief Brannon arrived on the scene he observed heavy smoke coming from the main super structure of the vessel. Observing that all first alarm units were active in emergency response operations, Brannon called for a second alarm assignment. After notification that resources (manpower and equipment) were being used up a third alarm assignment was also called.

The crew of Truck 17, consisting of Captain Dana Tanz, Firefighter-Driver Lorenza Armstrong, Firefighters James Hunter and Tommy Davis, was in rehab from a previous entry into the vessel and was now re-assigned to check for any fire on levels 2 and 3 of the ship.

The firefighters noted that the cabins had a moderate amount of smoke and heat in the rooms but were not to any degree extreme. There was also some smoke but not enough to where they could not see without using a flashlight.

Firefighter-Driver Tommy Bishop assigned to Truck 4, in the course of searching, opened a door and an explosion occurred, suspected to have been a backdraft as a result of the water and air tight doors being opened thus inducing oxygen. Bishop was pelted with debris and suffered facial injuries.

The location of the cabin that Hunter was searching was the middle cabin of all three cabins being searched. Hunter stated that once the room was engulfed with flames, he was pinned to the wall and unable to move. He stated the force was so great he was pinned for several seconds.

Hunter watched as the force blew Firefighter Tommy Davis past him and to the outside deck. Once Hunter was released from the force of the blast he rushed to Davis who was lying on the deck with his gear on fire. Hunter using his gloved hands “beat” the fire out and called for medical assistance. Hunter then re-entered the vessel to check on his other crew members.

At the same time while searching the cabins on level 2, the door of the cabin shut closed behind Tanz with an alarming amount of pressure. When the door shut, Tanz found the cabin engulfed with flames and realized he was now trapped in the room he had entered by fire and a door that was damaged, apparently due to the explosion. Fire now consumed the entire floor the firefighters were working on and Tanz saw a small area opened at the bottom of the door that had warped. Tanz stated that he began shoving his body weight against the door over and over until he managed an area about 18 inches that he worked to squeeze himself through. Tanz stated that fire was all around him and throughout the corridor to the only escape route out.

As he was crawling through the small space Tanz realized that Hunter had returned to assist him, dragging a hand line along to protect them from the heat and fire as well as their means of egress.

Davis received 2nd and 3rd degree burns to the ears and sides of his face and was transported to the Burn Unit of the University of South Alabama Medical Center (USAMC) for further treatment.

FF-Driver Bishop received some minor facial injuries and was transported to USAMC for further treatment.

Everyone involved stated that the actions of Firefighter James Hunter played a significant role in their safety and survival. They all feel his quick thinking and actions on the scene may have made the difference in life and death for those involved. Captain Tanz further stated “James remained in control and stayed focused. He acted with wisdom far beyond the short time he has been on the department reacting in an extremely professional manner in this situation.”