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1 <br />T <br />PROCLAMATION <br />;0.77 LA <br />f <br />RECOGNIZING INDIAN RIVER COUNTY FIRE RESCUE DRIVER/ENGINEER <br />RAY JONES FOR RECEIVING THE FLORIDA GOVERNOR'S <br />MEDAL OF HEROISM <br />WHEREAS, on July 1, 2003, the Florida Legislature established the Medal of Heroism Act for those <br />policemen, firemen, EMTs, paramedics or correctional officers who gallantly and intrepidly distinguished <br />themselves during the performance of their respective position by risking their own lives deliberately, above <br />and beyond the call of duty, while engaged in hazardous or perilous activities in order to preserve life despite <br />knowing that such activities might result in great personal harm; and, <br />WHEREAS, at the January 13, 2015, Florida Cabinet Meeting, Governor Rick Scott presented the <br />Governor's Medal of Heroism to Indian River County Fire Rescue Driver/Engineer, Ray Jones, for his selfless <br />and courageous actions in the evening hours of early October 2010 when he saved the life of fellow Firefighter, <br />Jack Chesnutt; and, <br />WHEREAS, on that evening, Driver/Engineer Jones and crew had just extinguished a house fire when <br />Firefighter Chesnutt stumbled upon debris, reached to steady himself by grabbing the top rail of a chain link <br />fence and immediately became adhered to it as electricity began coursing through his body; and, <br />WHEREAS, knowing the mortal danger in touching someone being severely electrified and at the same <br />time knowing that Firefighter Chesnutt could lose consciousness within seconds and die of arrhythmia, <br />Driver/Engineer Jones made a split-second decision to race over, body -tackle Firefighter Chesnutt and wrench <br />him from the charged fence; and, <br />WHEREAS, both men were electrified, both were transported to the hospital and both, due to Engineer <br />Jones' heroism, have survived to fight fires and save lives -- another day. <br />NOW THEREFORE, BE IT PROCLAIMED BY THE INDIAN RIVER COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY <br />COMMISSIONERS that we do hereby express our admiration for the valiance shown by Driver/Engineer Jones <br />on that fateful evening and are greatly honored that one of our own first responders, a 24- year veteran of our <br />Iocal fire service, has been presented the Medal of Heroism by the Governor of the great State of Florida. <br />Adopted this '7th day of April 2015 <br />BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS <br />INDIAN RIVER COUNTY, FLORIDA <br />Wesley S. Chairman <br />Bolari, ViQe Chairman <br />Peter D. O'Bryan <br />