CNBNews

The Valor Awards were then presented, with the aid of Chief Camden County Fire Marshal Paul Hartstein of Audubon.

Several were handed out, for actions deemed to be at outstanding, unusual or extreme personal risk.

Bellmawr Fire Department Station 32 Chief Jim Burleigh, also a County Fire Marshal, and Bellmawr Firefighter Phil Kor-mann, were honored with a Class III Valor Award (Outstanding Performance), for their actions in rescuing an elderly resident from an eventually fatal dwelling fire on Flanders Road in August of 2008.

Other awards were presented to firefighters, police officers and civilians, from Chews Landing, Lindenwold, Pennsauken and West Berlin, among others.

The program closed with the placing of wreaths at the memorial statue, adjacent to the training academy grounds. The Honor Guard was rendered by the Mt. Ephraim Fire Department, along with a rifle squad from the Gloucester City Fire Department.

These departments are especially attached to the annual services, as the seventh anniversary of the tragic July 4, 2002, fire at Broadway and Mercer Street in Gloucester City is fast approaching.

Mt. Ephraim Fire Chief James Sylvester and Deputy Chief John West, along with Gloucester City firefighter Tom Stewart III, answered their final alarm in efforts to save the three youngest members of the Slack family.

Sadly these three brave souls, along with the three sisters, were lost.

Yet, their actions and dedication to service, will never be forgotten.