Shelby County firefighters travel to the Pentagon to accept award from U.S. Secretary of Defense

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (WMC) -Shelby County firefighters will go to the Pentagon on Thursday to receive an award from United States Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III.

Shelby County Fire Chief Alvin Benson, Battalion Chief Deverick Clayton, and Firefighter Angel Fagans will receive the 2024 Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award.

This award is the highest honor bestowed by the United States government on employers for their support of National Guard and Reserve employees.

It is facilitated by the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR), a Department of Defense office that promotes supportive work environments for Reserve Component service members.

Shelby County Fire Department was chosen as a recipient from a pool of nearly 1,800 public and private sector nominees from all 50 states, Guam-CNMI, Puerto Rico, the US Virgin Islands, and DC.

Fagans, a Shelby County fireman for almost a decade and an Army Reserve member, recommended the Department and her supervisors for their support during her recent deployment.

The award ceremony will be live-streamed starting at 8 AM CST on Thursday. You can click here to livestream it.

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