The 200 Club of the Coastal Empire honors first responders with Valor Awards

Drew Favakeh, Savannah Morning News
·2 min read

Savannah Fire first responders who helped resuscitate a young female experiencing cardiac arrest after a drowning at the Chatham County Aquatic Center. Chatham County Sheriff’s Office courthouse deputies who helped save the life of a construction worker hit by a Ford F-150 in the Chatham County Courthouse parking lot.

The 200 Club of the Coastal Empire held its annual Valor Awards Tuesday evening at the Savannah Convention Center, honoring Chatham County Sheriff’s Office Deputies Omar Fernandez, James Flowers, Bradley Murrell, and Craig Butt, and Savannah Fire Department employees, Cpt. Christopher Ferrell, Advance Firefighter Phillip Haag, Advance Firefighter Ian Kelsey, Fire Engineer Shawn Hartl, Advance Firefighter Jacob Bolden, Captain Brian Smith, and Advance Firefighter Mario Smith.

“This is a very, very positive evening on several fronts,” said Mark Dana, the 200 Club's president and CEO. “We have awards to be given out, we have first responders to be recognized and appreciated for their hard work and dedication.”

Also presented with the community policing award was the Chatham County Sheriff’s Office and the Chatham County Police Department. This award was “presented to a department that exemplifies community engagement and community enrichment through creative programming and activities.”

The Fire Commissioner’s Award was presented to Savannah Fire Chief Elzie Kitchen, executive to the Chief Rhonda Rusch, and Advance Firefighter Tyler Barrett.

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From left to right, Deputy Bradley Murrell, Craig Butt, James Flowers and Omar Fernandez accepts the Life Saving Award at the 200 club's annual Chris Argentinis Valor Award Ceremony at the Savannah Convention Center in Savannah, GA on Tuesday, October 10, 2023.
From left to right, Deputy Bradley Murrell, Craig Butt, James Flowers and Omar Fernandez accepts the Life Saving Award at the 200 club's annual Chris Argentinis Valor Award Ceremony at the Savannah Convention Center in Savannah, GA on Tuesday, October 10, 2023.

Firefighters honored for rescue efforts during Memorial Day boat crash

On May 28, 2022, two Chatham Emergency Services (EMS) firefighters, Dillon Layton and Frank Hill, grabbed rescue buoys and entered the water. They helped retrieve four victims from the Wilmington River.

Ultimately, five people were killed in the boat collision.

The firefighters “distinguished themselves in an act of bravery and self-sacrifice so conspicuous to place themselves in harm’s way to help save the lives of four of the nine victims under very dangerous conditions,” said Robert Bromage, director of public safety for Hilton Head Island, who presented the award.

The Valor Awards represent a time out from the dangers of the public safety profession to celebrate acts of heroism among local public safety professionals. The 200 Club of the Coastal Empire provides financial assistance to surviving spouses and children of fallen law enforcement officers and firefighters across a 20-county region encompassing coastal and south Georgia as well as Beaufort and Jasper counties in South Carolina.

Drew Favakeh is the public safety and courts reporter for Savannah Morning News. You can reach him at AFavakeh@savannahnow.com.

This article originally appeared on Savannah Morning News: The 200 Club of the Coastal Empire honors first responders with Valor Awards