06/06/2026
Let's go A-Shift!!!
MEDAL OF BRAVERY
The Eloy Fire District Medal of Bravery is awarded for conspicuous bravery in the course of firefighting duty that results in the measurable protection of life or significant amounts of property. It is one of our highest honors.
A call was received for a structure fire in an apartment complex. Engine and Battalion 521 would be the "first due" units. They arrived to find a large fire in an apartment that had already found ventilation (oxygen) and was quickly spreading into adjacent apartments. Making matters more precarious, the older structure did not have "fire breaks" in the attic between the units. Without decisive action, the entire apartment structure would be lost. Captain Slade Weddle and his crew made an aggressive attack on the main body of fire. Simultaneously, acting BC, Captain Adan Rodriguez, arrived and took command. Despite his inexperience, his tactics and demeanor were consistent with a seasoned veteran. BC Matt Mayo arrived and quickly determined that Rodriguez was effective in his command role, and that his own expertise would be most valuable in a forward position. He donned firefighting gear and joined the fight in progress, quickly determining that the fire was spreading into the other apartments. He worked with Weddle and the crew of Engine 521 to reposition and address the exposure occupancies. This all transpired in less than five minutes, but it made the difference between success or disaster. Engine 522 arrived and reported into a hazard zone to help prevent the fire from spreading. Further mutual aid support was received from Casa Grande Fire Department and Pinal County Fire and Medical Authority. In the end, the structure and contents were saved and no lives were lost. Truly remarkable.
This kind of outcome would not be possible without intense training, steadfast dedication, and decisive action. For their actions, it is our honor to award the Eloy Fire District Medal of Bravery to BC Matt Mayo, Captain Adan Rodriguez, Captain Slade Weddle, Engineer Abraham Alvarez, Firefighter Hannah Hartman, Firefighter Victoria Benzies, Engineer Damon Scoggin, Firefighter Kayden Reyna, and Firefighter Israel Yanez-Sanchez.
We would also like to send our sincere gratitude to the crews from Casa Grande and Arizona City.
Excellent work by all!!!
(Left to right): Scoggin, Weddle, Alvarez, Mayo, Hartman, Benzies, Rodriguez, Reyna, Yanez-Sanchez.
