Mailman Ronald Floyd, who delivers on Route 1, Loris, was the right person in the right place at the right time on Thursday, February 17, helping to extinguish a large fire — twice — for a family on his route.

When Margaret Shipley arrived home that day, Floyd, who was delivering his route, alerted her to a large fire on her property.  It was spreading toward her house and barn, burning about an acre of land.  While she dialed 911, he fought the blaze with a garden hose.  He was successful in keeping it from burning the buildings. 

The fire department arrived 10 minutes later, and extinguished the fire.  After work, Floyd returned to check on the burned property, and found that the fire had broken out again, and again, he controlled it until the fire department could respond.  Ms. Shipley wrote a letter of appreciation to Loris Postmaster Bobbie Green, saying, “He is a wonderful man and I am so grateful for his assistance.”

“I don’t feel that I did anything for Ms. Shipley that any neighbor wouldn’t do,” said Floyd.  “I was just helping someone who needed help.” 

For his actions, he will receive a letter of commendation for actions above and beyond the call of duty, from Postmaster General Patrick Donohoe.  More than 200 Postal employees receive recognition annually for assistance to their customers in a time of need.

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