Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department
4100 Chain Bridge Rd, Fairfax, Virginia 22030
703-246-3801, TTY 703-385-4419 and 703-385-1687
www.fairfaxcounty.gov/fire

2/13/2006

Youth to Receive Fire and Rescue Valor Award

The Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department will present Andre Jamal Robinson with a valor award for his actions during a house fire Thursday, February 16, 2006, at 10 a.m., at Walt Whitman Middle School, 2500 Parkers Lane.

On January 20, 2006, Andre Robinson, 13, and his grandmother were walking out of their apartment when they noticed black smoke in the apartment’s first floor hallway. They saw an adult female and her five-year-old child running out of the apartment, screaming that the apartment was on fire. While Andre’s grandmother called 911, Andre ran to his apartment to retrieve a fire extinguisher. He then went back into the burning apartment to extinguish the fire in the kitchen. He then retrieved another fire extinguisher and again went back inside the apartment to extinguish the fire.

Andre’s quick thinking and courage helped control the fire throughout the apartment complex and most likely prevented injuries to residents, and possibly firefighters. Damage to the apartment was estimated at approximately $20,000.

For his extraordinary actions, the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department will present Andre Robinson with a Citizen Valor Award.

Note: Andre and parents will participate in the ceremony.

Fairfax County is committed to nondiscrimination on the basis of disability in all county programs, services and activities. Reasonable accommodations will be provided upon request. For information, call 703-246-3801 and TTY 703-285-4419.