" Lest We Forget. . . . . . . ." Updated 7th November 2010

Above, a Memorial Stone placed at the NIFRS, “The Rescue”, memorial at Headquarters in memory of Leading Firefighter Joe McCloskey and below, a Plaque in memory of Joe at Dungiven Fire Station.

First Ever Firefighter from NI Receives the Queen’s Gallantry Medal for Bravery

A firefighter who helped keep a dying friend alive long enough to say his final farewells to his family is to be honoured for his heroics by the Queen.
Gavin Miller battled flames in the Gorteen House Hotel near Limavady to rescue 50-year-old Joe McCloskey, who fell through a storeroom roof and suffered severe burns.
The firefighter's bravery in November 2003 gave the father-of-five a few hours in hospital, time for his wife and kids to say goodbye and for him to tell them he loved them.

"I'm honoured and grateful to receive this award," Mr Miller said.

"I know if Joe had have been in my shoes he would have done the same for me.

Mr Miller, a firefighter crew commander, is being honoured with The Queen's Gallantry Medal, awarded to civilians for acts of bravery.

He lived near Mr McCloskey between Dungiven and Limavady and arrived on the scene after the accident, put on breathing apparatus and set about rescuing his colleague.

The storeroom was described as a fire ball with temperatures in excess of 1,000C.

Mr Miller was eventually helped by two other firefighters after dragging his friend out of the building. He suffered heat exhaustion and burns and had to be doused in water to put out the flames on his protective gear.

Mr McCloskey, who asked not to be sedated before getting to see his family in Altnagelvin Hospital, died the day after the fire on November 2, 2003.

Above, Crew Commander Gavin Miller, Limavady Fire Station and below, Gavin recieving The Queen's Gallantry Medal at Buckingham Palace.

NIFRS Press Release 9th November 2010

Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service (NIFRS) Crew Commander Gavin Miller from Limavady Fire Station has become the first Firefighter from Northern Ireland to receive the Queen’s Gallantry Medal, one of the highest civil decorations awarded in the UK for exemplary acts of bravery, at a ceremony today (Tuesday 9th November) in Buckingham Palace.

Gavin was presented with his medal by Her Majesty, The Queen, after he was nominated by NIFRS to recognise his outstanding bravery in rescuing his colleague Leading Firefighter Joe McCloskey from the fire at Gorteen House Hotel in Limavady on 1 November 2003. Despite the pain from the intense heat of the fire, Crew Commander Gavin Miller managed to reach his colleague and drag him to safety. Tragically Leading Firefighter Joe McCloskey later died in hospital.

Peter Craig, Chief Fire Officer, Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service said- “Today is an extremely proud day for Gavin, his family and for Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service. We were delighted to learn back in July that Gavin was to be awarded the Queen’s Gallantry Medal for his exceptional bravery in the rescue of his colleague and friend Leading Firefighter Joe McCloskey. This Medal is rightly deserved and we as an organisation are incredibly proud of him. NIFRS has worked tirelessly to have Gavin recognised at the highest level for his unparalleled bravery.

“Today we also remember the loss of our colleague Leading Firefighter Joe McCloskey at the deliberate fire at Gorteen House Hotel in Limavady on 1 November 2003. Joe and his family remain in our thoughts.”

Crew Commander Gavin Miller is a retained (part time) Firefighter at Limavady Fire Station. He joined Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service in 1998 and was promoted to Crew Commander in 2009. He is married to Nuala and has a young son.

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Blues & Twos would like to congratulate Gavin on receiving the Queens Gallantry Medal in recognition of his outstanding bravery at the Gorteen House Hotel fire on 1st November 2003.