March 4 2013

American Legion Post #48
Chesnee, SC

March 4, 2013 Present Fireman of the Year to Fireman Matthew Scruggs

The below is a quote from the Nomination document:

For 16+ years, Mr. Scruggs has responded to the scene of numerous potentially dangerous fires and has performed his duties in a manner consistent with his firefighter training and with the well being of the public considered above his own safety. The following is a description of the most recent action:

On Feb. 21st, 2012, the Chesnee Community Fire Department responded to a burning residence just outside the city limits of Chesnee, SC. Firefighter Scruggs was with the first unit on the scene. A communication was received that a 4 year old child was in the burning residence. Firefighter Scruggs entered the residence to search and determined that the residence was unoccupied. Prior to exiting the building, he suffered from smoke inhalation and was subsequently transported to the hospital. (Incident report and photo attached). As a result of this incident and additional medical complications discovered during his medical treatment for smoke inhalation, Mr. Scruggs has been medically unable to return to his Fire Department duties and his primary industry employment has been severely limited. The Chesnee community has conducted a charity event to assist his family.

Commander Jones presents award to Fireman Scruggs

Fireman Scruggs thanks the members of the Post

Matthew Scruggs and family