A.J. Hamilton, left, and Ashley Rowe, right, members of Gloucester Volunteer Fire and Rescue Squad, were recognized as finalists for the 2023 Valor Award during the annual Firehouse Expo 40 event held Sept. 26-29 in Columbus, Ohio. Last winter, the two men, with no protective equipment and without hesitation, entered frigid water that was over their heads to save a young child who had fallen through the ice. The two are shown here with Peter Matthews, editor-in-chief of Firehouse Magazine and conference director of Firehouse Expo 40. Altogether, 11 firefighters from across the nation were finalists, with Richard Thode of Danbury, Connecticut, named the grand-prize winner.
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