(Washington, DC) Two District firefighters, two District rescue squads, and DC Fire/EMS’ Special Operations Division are being recognized by Firehouse Magazine for their life-saving efforts in the District of Columbia.

Firefighters Peter J. Bagdovitz and James C. (Chet) Barrett have received heroism awards for their actions in a high angle rescue on June 29, 2005. Units responded to 915 15th Street, NW for the report of two workers trapped inside a deep ventilation shaft. Firefighters found the men clinging to ropes 70 feet above the ground. Firefighters Bagdovitz and Barrett were lowered to the stranded workers, where they were secured and then lowered individually to the ground. Neither worker was injured.

“The courage, determination and professionalism displayed by both members resulted in the rescue of two panicked victims,” the magazine quotes in its April issue.

The operation was coordinated by the department’s Special Operations Division, utilizing Rescue Squads 1 and 3, which received special unit citations for their participation in the rescue.