Home     About BI     Volunteer     Make A Gift     Special Events     Careers     Contact

---

Spirit of Courage Awards Banquet

Each year, the Burn Institute pays tribute to individuals in our community who have risked their own lives in an effort to save another from burn injury or death. The Spirit of Courage Award honors these selfless people for their heroism.

In 1974, members of a local support group for burn survivors called "Burns Recovered" approached the Burn Institute with the idea of honoring these courageous citizens. Many of the burn survivors had been rescued by such heroic individuals, and wanted to publicly express their strong appreciation. The Burn Institute supported the concept and has continued to present the award for the past 30 years. The Annual Spirit of Courage Awards banquet is a community service of the Burn Institute.
Citizens are nominated by local fire service and law enforcement agencies. Then a Burn Institute board committee composed of fire service personnel and other professionals select the final recipients. The criteria for selection is:

• The nominee must have performed an exceptionally courageous act attempting to save another person from death or serious injury to burns from any source - fire, chemical or electrical.
• The rescue attempt must have involved a significant degree of personal risk - exposure to either death or severe injury.
• Firefighters and law enforcement personnel are eligible for this award but must have displayed a level of commitment not required or expected in the performance of their daily duties.

Please visit our Special Events page for more information on the upcoming event.

For information on the Spirit of Courage Awards Banquet, contact Diane Sparacino at (858) 541-2277 x17 or

Nominate a Hero Form

Sponsorship Form