Posted online: Aug 2nd, 2010

A hero fire fighter from County Derry who pulled a colleague from a fire is set to receive a prestigious award to recognise his bravery.
Gavin Miller, a Crew Commander from Limavady Fire Station, valiantly fought back the intense heat of a fire at the Gorteen House Hotel in Limavady in 2003 to rescue colleague Joe McCloskey.
Joe, a leading fire fighter from Dungiven, fell though the roof of a store room at the hotel while trying to tackle the blaze.
Tragically the father-of-five died later in hospital.
Now Gavin is to be awarded the highest accolade – The Queen’s Gallantry Medal – for his bravery.
The 39-year-old is the only person from the North to be presented the prestigious honour.
“It’s great for myself, my family and for Limavady and the fire service on a whole,” said the part time fire fighter of 12 years.
“It was a bit of a surprise to learn I would be receiving this award which is a wonderful accolade.
“I have mixed emotions though because while I’m pleased to be receiving the award I did lose a colleague on that tragic night.”
Gavin will be invited to Buckingham Palace in the near future to receive the award, something which the Limavady man is really looking forward to.
“I am overwhelmed and delighted but would like to dedicate this award to the memory of my colleague leading fire fighter Joe McCloskey and his family.
“I know Joe McCloskey’s wife Marie and his family have been pushing for a long time to have me honoured. My thoughts are and always have been with them.
“I would also like to dedicate the award to all my colleagues who fought the fire on that tragic night. It is such a privilege and inspiration to work with such courageous people every day.
“I am very grateful to all the services who provided help on that night, from the PSNI to the paramedics and A&E at Altnagelvin,” he added.
Tom Wright, Acting Deputy Chief Fire Officer for Northern Ireland Fire Service, said he was delighted the father-of-one was to be honoured.
“It is so rightly deserved and we as an organisation are incredibly proud of Gavin,” he said.
“Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service has worked tirelessly to have Gavin recognised at the highest level for his unparralled bravery.
“Today however is also a sad day for Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service as we remember the loss of our colleague leading fire fighter Joe McCloskey at the tragic fire at Gorteen House Hotel in Limavady on 1 November 2003. Joe remains in all our thoughts.”
Eoin Doyle, Western Area Commander for Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service added his congratulations.
“I am personally delighted to congratulate Gavin on receiving this highest civil decoration for his remarkable bravery in recuing Leading Firefighter Joe McCloskey at the Gorteen House Hotel fire,” he said.
“The recognition has taken some time but Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service have remained resolute in its desire to have Gavin decorated for his exemplary bravery. Gavin truly represents what working for the Fire and Rescue Service is all about and we are very proud of him.”