CHARLOTTE, NC--As National Fire Prevention week approaches, the Charlotte Fire Dept took time to recognize their own as they hosted the 2005 Medals and Awards Ceremony at the Fire Training Academy on Tuesday, October 4. CFD Chaplin Wayne Detzler lead the audience in prayer as we took a moment to reflect on fellow brother, Captain Jimmy Rushing, who is recovering at CMC hospital after collapsing on duty early Monday morning. Many CFD retirees, along with family and friends, gathered to hear Mr. Bill Jacobson open up the program with a moving speech that equated the bravery of his son who died in Iraq to the bravery displayed by Charlotte Firefighters in the audience. This year 13 companies received citations for their courageous actions.  Eight additional companies were recognized with the Captain J A Shands EMS award. The Chief Hendrix Palmer award for meritorious service award was presented to Captain Cliff Mullis and Firefighter J L Carothers. Firefighter J Rikard from Engine 13 received the J Harvey Wallace Medal of Valor for rescuing a man from a burning home in west Charlotte. The Joshua B Early Firefighter of the Year Award was presented to Captain Lance Foulk from Engine 20.