At the Delaware State fire Chief's Meeting that was held on Thurday, September 15th at the Cheswold Volunteer Fire Company, Chad was presented with the Heroic Firefighter of the Year Award, for his act of Bravery upon arriving on scene of a working house fire and rescuing two people out of the house. Below is a letter that was written by Chief Earl Chaffinch: On October 2, 2010 at 04:02 hours Station 71 Blades, 81 Laurel, 87 Seaford and Medic 102 were alerted for a working structure fire at 26668 Bethel Concord Road. 71 Command responded with 71-17 Chad Passwaters at 04:08 hours as Command. 71 Command arrived on scene at 04:11 hours and reported heavy smoke and fire showing from the rear of the house. When Chad exited the Command Car he hear people screamming in the house. Chad entered the house and found an elderly woman and a male subject in the room with the most of fire in it. Chad proceded to pick the woman up and carried her out of the house while leading the male subject also to safety. Medic 102 was the next unit to arrive on scene of 04:13 hours and gave first aid to the elderly female and male subject. She was transported to Nanticoke Hospital for smoke inhalation. The Fire Fire unit on scene was Engine Tanker 71-2 at 04:17 hours.. In my eyes as Fire Chief, I believe Chad went above and beyond the call of duty as a firefighter at the scene of this house fire. Chad was awarded the Firemen of the Year Award for Blades Volunteer Fire Company for the Year 2010 for this Act of Bravery.