On March 23, 2021, a fire erupted in the Evergreen Adult Assisted Living Facility in the village of Spring Valley. The structure of the Evergreen facility was a mostly wood building and had quickly become engulfed in flames. At the time of the event, there were approximately 112 elderly residents living onsite, some of whom were non-ambulatory. Because of the nature of the crisis, nearly all of Rockland County's 26 volunteer fire departments and emergency first response teams responded together, with some additional personnel from New Jersey.
Lieutenant Jared Lloyd was one of the first firefighters to arrive on the scene, and together with his team, he immediately began to take residents from the burning building. Lieutenant Lloyd made many trips into the burning building and successfully rescued an elderly, infirm resident on each occasion. He exhausted his air supply, secured a second tank of air, and resumed his rescue efforts.
A 911 call was received from a resident who had not yet been rescued. As the building was becoming engulfed in flames, Lieutenant Lloyd made his way up to the third floor to see if any residents were trapped. He soon became disoriented by the flames and smoke and broadcasted a "Mayday." The fire was too intense, and other firefighters were forced to pull back and could not reach him. This fire became so intense that the building, including the third floor where Lieutenant Lloyd was located, collapsed. When the fire became controlled, his fellow firefighters commenced a careful search for Lieutenant Lloyd, although it was clear that he could not have survived. The search lasted for 24 hours spread over 2 days, until Lieutenant Lloyd's remains were located. This rescue effort was one of the most successful of its kind. Despite one resident having a heart attack on his way to the hospital, all others, totaling 112 people, were rescued and survived.
Lieutenant Lloyd's actions were above and beyond the call of duty- illustrating exceptional courage, decisiveness, and swiftness of action - disregarding his personal safety in an attempt to save or protect human life. Lieutenant Lloyd's actions demonstrate the highest tradition of the fire service.
Learn about all of the Public Safety Medal of Valor recipients