INDIANAPOLIS -- Two firefighters from Jacksonville, Florida received the annual "FireSlayer of the Year" award, created by the MSA Safety Products Division, in response to their extraordinary actions at a house fire in August, 2002.
Rick Murphy and Phillip Smith of Jacksonville Fire and Rescue laid down their lives for each other and for a family of four when a house fire raged out of control on August 16, 2002.
"A lot happened in that house," Murphy said. "If one thing came out of this - it's teamwork and brotherhood. If that wasn't there that night, we wouldn't be here at all."
MSA's Director of Marketing Eric Beck presented the award at a ceremony Friday evening at the Fire Department Instructors Conference in Indianapolis, and told the story of the dire incident that changed Murphy and Smith forever.
The firefighters arrived at the scene of the house fire to find heavy smoke and fire showing, and to learn that a family was trapped inside behind iron bars. The mother and two children had sought refuge in the bathroom while the father attempted to find a way out for them.
Murphy and Smith cut open the bars, performed a search, and rescued the mother from the bathroom. They then re-entered and found the son gasping for air in the bathtub. They gave him some of Murphy's air, but then found every escape route cut off by the fire. They tried everything to get out, including kicking through the walls, but realized that they probably weren't going to make it.
"They dragged the child as far from the heat as they could and laid over him to protect him from the heat," Beck said. "This is when things actually got worse."
The firefighters said goodbye to each other as they ran out of air. Smith removed his mask to try to breath and sustained serious burns to his lungs.
At that point a miracle happened, Beck said, and their fellow firefighters found them, established an exit and led them out of the inferno. They also located the daughter, who had panicked and fled the bathroom, and found the father, who had pried open some iron bars and was laying just outside.
All four family members were in critical condition but survived. The 12-year-old girl is still recovering from burns over 40 percent of her body, but is beginning to play sports again, Beck said. Smith will no longer be able to serve as a firefighter. Murphy is currently on light duty.
Smith fought back tears as he addressed the crowd. "On August 16 my life was changed forever," he said. "I'm here today and alive because of the help of my people." Smith said that being unable to return to duty as a firefighter is one of the hardest things he has ever dealt with.
He thanked MSA, all those on the fire scene that night, and claimed that he and Murphy were simply doing their job. He wanted to recognize all firefighters because they all put their lives on the line, and said his real heroes are his friends and family, fellow firefighters, the doctors and specialists who gave him a second chance at life, and his oldest son, who just graduated from the fire academy and became a firefighter the night before. He also specially thanked Murphy.
"It's funny how it takes an incident like this to bring two people together," he said. "Rick you're my hero. I'll never forget what we went through and I'll always be there for you."
Murphy will be returning to duty soon but said that it would not be the same without his friend working beside him. He thanked some additional people including his training instructors, his family, and Smith.
"Once again Phil, I love you like a brother, there's nothing else to say about it," Murphy said.
The ceremony wrapped up with a video message from the mother of the rescued family. "They're my guardian angels," she said of the firefighters. "I pray for you and your family every day. We need more people like you in the world."
MSA created the FOTY program in 2000 to recognize firefighters who display selfless dedication in the line of duty. Firefighters around the country sent in nominations for the 2002 award and a panel of fire service experts voted on the recipients.
In addition to the awards presented to Smith and Murphy at the ceremony, MSA donated $5,000 on their behalf to the IAFF Burn Foundation, which benefits the Firefighters' National Children's Burn Camp and burn research, rehabilitation and education programs.
After the ceremony, Murphy and Smith offered a few words of advice for firefighters in case they ever find themselves in such a difficult situation.
"I just want to tell people how important it is to do teamwork and stay together," Murphy told Firehouse.com. "Don't leave your partner and don't give up hope."
Smith, who is working on a book called A Bond For Life, said the most important lesson he learned from the experience is to always resolve any issues you have with your spouse or other people you care about.
"Whether you're a firefighter or not, one thing that I have learned is this," he said. "Life is too short to go through with an enemy. You can be here one minute and gone the next... You have to back up and thank God that you're here."
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