13th of 31 NYC DOC Medal Day 2011 NYCHS image pages

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The first two-officer joint presentation of the proceedings took place when Meritorious Duty Awards began being bestowed. ADW Hazel Jennings and Captain Francis Walsh were honored for their leadership in responding to the July 11th roof fire at GMDC.

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The following citation with the NYC DOC Meritorious Duty award to ADW Hazel Jennings and Captain Francis Walsh is taken from the Medal Day 2011 booklet.

ADW HAZEL JENNINGS & CAPTAIN FRANCIS WALSH, G.M.D.C. & CUSTODY MANAGEMENT

When a three-alarm fire erupted at approximately 10 PM on July 11th on the roof of G.M.D.C. Housing Modules 13 and 14, all staff on duty sprung into action to ensure the safety of all inmates and staff. But two of the most critical functions that night belonged to Assistant Deputy Warden Hazel Jennings, the on-duty Tour Commander at G.M.D.C. and Capt. Francis Walsh, assigned to the New Admission Monitoring Control Unit.

ADW Jennings, a 22-year veteran, immediately began implementing an emergency response to ensure the safety of all staff and inmates. She methodically coordinated the actions of staff under her charge, directed all appropriate notifications and displayed true leadership by making sure all staff and 241 inmates were quickly and safely evacuated.

Captain Walsh, a 21- year veteran, coordinated and supervised the transfers of 60 inmates to other locations within G.M.D.C. as well as 175 transfers out of G.M.D.C. to various commands. He also arranged for approximately 275 beds in 5 other facilities as a back up plan.

The leadership and professionalism displayed by both Assistant Deputy Warden Jennings and Captain Walsh, led to an efficient and safe handling of what could have been a disastrous incident. In a message to staff the next day, Commissioner Schriro noted there were no injuries to staff or inmates, and commended staff on duty, stating: “You performed your duties with absolute precision and the utmost professionalism.. .A job well done.

WEBMASTER NOTE: At Medal Day 2011 ceremonies in the George Motchan Detention Center (GMDC) on Rikers Island Nov. 15th, the NYC Department of Correction honored staff for heroic acts on and off the job, as well as for distinguished and exceptional on-the-job performance and community service. This New York Correction History Society (NYCHS) presentation features images derived from photos taken by NYCHS at the event as well as texts and images scanned by NYCHS from NYC DOC's Medal Day 2011 booklet distributed at the ceremonies.

Preliminaries, 0 -- 8; DOC medals, 9 -- 15; Mayor's awards, 16 -- 18; Unit Citations, 19 -- 21; union awards, 22 -- 28; benediction, 29; booklet lists, 30 & 31.
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