Wichita Firefighters receive 2024 Tom McGaughey Fire Service Award for Heroic Actions

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

December 12, 2024 (TOPEKA) - Wichita Firefighters Isaac Frazier and Davin Doonan were recognized Tuesday, November 26, 2024, as recipients of the 2024 Tom McGaughey Fire Service Award. Each year, the Kansas State Fire Marshal joins the Kansas State Fire Fighters Association and the Kansas State Association of Fire Chiefs to recognize and honor a firefighter or team of firefighters for heroic actions above and beyond the call of duty, with the Tom McGaughey Fire Service Award.

The award is named in memory of Wichita Fire Department Fire Chief Tom McGaughey who perished in a fire, along with three others, Chief Fire Inspector Merle O. Wells, Firefighter Jimmy L. Austin and Firefighter Dale J. Mishler, at the Yingling Auto Dealership on November 21, 1968.

On May 3rd, 2023, the Wichita Fire Department responded to a single-story family residence with heavy fire showing from the attached garage and heavy smoke coming from the living space of the residence. Firefighters entered the front door while Firefighter Frazier went to the back door. Frazier was met by the homeowner who stated his sister was trapped in the basement. Frazier forced the back door open and was met by heavy fire. He was able to get down low enough to see the stairs right inside the back door. Firefighter Doonan came around to the back of the house and met Frazier, who stated the location of the stairs and that there was a woman trapped.

Frazier then ran through the fire and down the stairs where he met the woman who was struggling to breathe. Doonan transmitted radio traffic the need for a hoseline, then made his way through the fire and down the stairs. Doonan covered the woman with a blanket and told Frazier there was still no hoseline in place and that they needed to exit immediately. Doonan went up the stairs ahead of Frazier and the victim, then positioned himself between the fire and landing as Frazier brought the victim out.

The quick action by both firefighters allowed the patient to have minimal injuries and she was still conscious and breathing upon being rescued from the fire.

"The Tom McGaughey Fire Service Award recognizes heroism by firefighters in Kansas," State Fire Marshal Mark Engholm said. "It's an honor to recognize the heroic actions of Wichita Firefighters Isaac Frazier and Davin Doonan."

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Photo Caption: Kansas State Fire Marshal Chief Deputy Richard Watson, Kansas State Fire Fighters Association President Shane Pearson, Wichita Firefighter Isaac Frazier, Wichita Firefighter Davin Doonan, Kansas State Fire Marshal Mark Engholm and Kansas State Association of Fire Chiefs President Chad Russell.