This award was established with a donation from Raphael Weill, founder of the White House department store, in memory of Dennis T. Sullivan, Chief Engineer of the San Francisco Fire Department.

Chief Sullivan died as a result of injuries sustained on April 18, 1906, when the chimney of an adjoining structure fell upon the fire station on Bush near Kearny Street.

This award is for the bravest act performed by a member of the Department in the saving of human life, at the risk of his or her own life, while engaged in the performance of his or her duty as a firefighter.

The following members of the San Francisco Fire Department have been awarded the Sullivan Medal Award since 1964:

Battalion Chief Osuna was posthumously awarded the Sullivan Medal for heroic actions which cost him his life in the line of duty.

The Trustees of The Sullivan Medal Fund have now awarded this medal to Captain Robert G. Boudoures of Truck Co. 10 for his heroic actions during rescue operations in the Marina District following the earthquake of October 17, 1989.

Captain Boudoures performed these rescue operations with total disregard for his personal safety and in the best tradition of the San Francisco Fire Department.