DATE: Thursday, 13 December 2012 FOR IMMEIDATE RELEASE
Contact: Larry Hess 985/966-4131 [email protected]
Subject: “Fire District No. 1 Firefighters Honored for Saving Two During Fire”
On Thursday, 17 November, at 0011 Hours, St. Tammany Fire District No. 1 firefighters were dispatched to the report of a fire at 62105 Airport Road in Slidell. The first arriving fire units from the Slidell area fire department found a working fire in the residence and initiated an interior attack.
Once inside the home, Captain Buck Kleck and Firefighter Emmitt Hyde of Engine 15 found a male occupant and immediately removed him from the house.
Once outside the fire building Battalion Chief/Paramedic Jim Rhyce initiated Advanced Life Support protocols in administering medical assistance to the male occupant. The male occupant informed firefighters that his wife was still in the building.
At the same time Captain Lester Schellinger and Firefighter Bryce Callihan of Engine 12 continued the fire suppression operations inside the home. As they were being notified by the Incident Commander of a second victim, they came upon the second occupant in the hallway of the home.
Both residents were transported to the hospital where they subsequently recovered from their injuries.
As a result of their life saving actions, Fire Captains Buck Kleck and Lester Schellinger, and Firefighters Emmitt Hyde and Bryce Callihan were presented the Fire Department’s Distinguished Service Award.
The Distinguished Service Award is presented to a member who “distinguishes himself/herself by a meritorious achievement, act, or service to the department, performed in a manner substantially beyond the normal expectations in similar circumstances, or who performs an extraordinary credible and unusual rescue or public safety accomplishment. This award may also recognize any employee who demonstrates a special faithfulness or perseverance over time in providing high quality service in meeting and advancing the department’s goals and objectives.
