Local Heroes Honored Yesterday

Tuesday, 31 October 2006 23:19

Local Heroes Honored Yesterday

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Yesterday afternoon 8 local heroes were recognized in their life saving efforts to rescue three residents that were trapped in a burning home. On August 2, 2006 firefighters were dispatched to a residential structure fire at 17032 Pine Needle Drive in the Buckhorn area. The first fire engine to arrive on scene reported a fully involved structure wih two or more people trapped on the rear deck. The two firefighters on that engine, from the Amador Fire Protection District Station 111 on Meadow Drive, took quick action with the help of Amador County Sheriff’s Deputy Luke McElfish. The trio deployed a ladder to rescue the three residents trapped on the back deck, which was 20 feet above the ground and situated on a steep slope.

The rescue was accomplished with the help of other firefighters who arrived on scene and helped secure the ladder on the precariously steep hillside and provided a cooling stream of water from a fire hose to protect those on the deck and ladder from the intense heat and flames from the threatening fire. (VIDEO)The Board of Directors for the Amador Fire Protection Dsitrict presented certificates of commendation along with a Board resolution in recognition of the heroic actions of those who saved the lives of the trapped residents. Recognized yesterday for Commendation of Valor were Captain Lee Hearny and Captain George Staby of the Amador Fire Protection District. Presented with commendations for life saving efforts was: Deputy Sheriff Luke McElfish, Battalion 10 Chief Ray Blankenheim of the AFPD, Captain Greg Long of the California Division of Forestry and Fire Protection as well as CDF firefighters Curtis Smith, Jesse Corrales and Mark Puddicombe. Sheriff Mike Prizmich presented certificates as well to Captain Greg Long, Captain George Staby, and Captain Lee Hearny. He also presented Deputy Luke McElfish with a medal of honor. Chief of the Amador Fire Protection District, Jim McCart said, “The situation that the responders came against was a very rare occurrence perhaps once in a career and it doesn’t always turn out well and this time it did and the guys did a good job.”