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Fallen Worcester Fire. Lt. Jason Menard named recipient of prestigious American fire service award

WORCESTER, Mass. — Fallen Worcester Fire Lieutenant Jason Menard is the recipient of the 2020 Ray Downey Courage and Valor Award posthumously, Fire Engineering announced Friday.

Menard died in November after his crew ran into a burning home on Stockholm Street to look for a baby who was reportedly trapped on the third floor. The 39-year-old Worcester native saved two other firefighters but was unable to escape the fire.

>>RELATED: Heroic Worcester fire Lt. Jason Menard awarded medal of honor at his funeral

The Ray Downey Courage and Valor Award commemorates the life and career achievements of Deputy Chief Ray Downey of the Fire Department of New York (FDNY), who lost his life while commanding rescue operations at the World Trade Center attack on September 11, 2001. Downey was chief of rescue operations and a 39-year veteran of the department. At the time of his death, he was the most highly decorated firefighter in the history of FDNY.

The award, established to honor a firefighter whose actions deserve national recognition, is presented to an extraordinarily courageous American firefighter each year. The recipient receives a Courage and Valor medal and $35,000.

Menard’s award will be presented at the Fire Department Instructors Conference in Indianapolis on April 22.

Menard was a 10-year veteran of the Worcester Fire Department and had been promoted to lieutenant in 2018. He left behind a wife and three children.