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Cal Fire Crews Honored for Mill Fire Rescue |
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Wednesday, 07 November 2007 |
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“It was the largest structure fire in Amador County
history” said Jackson Assistant Fire Chief Dale Fishback after the Old Georgia
Pacific mill building burned down last August. And a night watchman, trapped in that building would surely
have lost his life without quick action by two Sutter Hill CalFire engine
crews. Tuesday, the Amador County Board of Supervisors and Amador Fire
Protection District honored those firefighters for their heroism that night.
AFPD Chief Jim McCart welcomed county officials,
fellow firefighters, family and friends to the ceremony in the Board of
Supervisors’ chambers. With a slide show and video, he recounted the events of
the mill building fire when two engines from CalFire’s Sutter Hill station
faced 200 foot flames shooting from the metal and wood building. Once on scene
they heard the report that a 911 call had been received from the night watchman
trapped within the burning building. As crews proceeded through their search
efforts, engineer Julie Pyevach from Engine 2784 heard someone yell and spotted
an arm waving out the window of the building. The crews had to use a chain saw
to cut through the metal siding and pull the victim out, with only minor
injuries. Within 60 seconds of his rescue, the room from which he was saved was
engulfed in flames. “For most members of these two crews, this may be a once in
a career save,” said Battalion Chief Dennis Tremelling. Fire Captain Charlie
Blankenheim, seasonal firefighters Kristen Konefal, Jason Podesta, Greg
Schwegler and Justin Wheelock, engineer Julie Pyvach, and chief Tremelling all
received framed copies of the Supervisors resolution in their honor.
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Last Updated ( Wednesday, 21 November 2007 )
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