Firefighter

Other

12/6/2010

Public Safety Officer Medal of Valor

Just before 1:30 a.m., the Long Beach Fire Department responded to a two-story fire in North Long Beach. Upon arrival, the fire crew observed an upstairs apartment heavily engulfed in fire and smoke. Onlookers reported that a 2-year-old boy was still inside. Firefighters Hakopian and Sorenson ran inside the burning building to the second floor and began an aggressive attack on the fire. Firefighter Hakopian was searching the premises when he unexpectedly fell through the floor. He caught himself with his arms and pulled himself out of the hole, avoiding a fall to the first floor. He continued his search while Firefighter Sorenson sought to seat the fire. Hakopian found the limp body of the small child in a closet. The boy had succumbed to the effects of smoke inhalation and was in respiratory arrest. Firefighter Hakopian grabbed the child and made his way past the collapsed floor to waiting paramedics. The boy sustained second degree burns on his legs and was listed in critical condition. He has since recovered.