Navy Yard First Responders Honored for Courage

More than 30 D.C. paramedics to receive the Chief's Medal of Excellence

A group of first responders who put their lives on the line to save others during the shooting rampage at the Washington Navy Yard were honored for their courage Friday.

Chief Kenneth B. Ellerbe presented more than 30 D.C. paramedics with the Chief's Medal of Excellence during a ceremony at the D.C. Fire and EMS Training Academy in southwest Washington. The medal honors those who display extraordinary courage in response to an incident.

The ceremony follows news that some D.C. firehouses were understaffed during the shooting. A recent News4 I-Team report uncovered 181 vacancies at D.C. Fire and EMS, including paramedics. But Friday's honor serves to highlight the valor those responding to the scene showed in the face of these unusual circumstances.

On September 16, 12 people were killed and eight others injured when 34-year-old Aaron Alexis opened fire inside Building 197 of the Navy Yard. Alexis was later shot and killed by police.

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