MUSCATINE, Iowa – Two members of the Muscatine Fire Department were recognized Tuesday (June 25) for their efforts in rescuing a Muscatine resident from an apartment fire on April 18, 2019. Lieutenant Roy Patterson and Firefighter Reece Hall were honored by Muscatine Fire Department Chief Jerry Ewers with the presentation of a Unit Citation Award.
Patterson, who was promoted to Lieutenant in February, and Hall, who joined the department this spring, were among the firefighters dispatched to a kitchen fire in Apartment B at 403 West 3rd Street at 11:58 p.m. on Thursday, April 18. First responders could see fire through the second story window on the backside of the building upon arrival.
The two Muscatine firefighters were recognized for their efforts in entering an apartment that was on fire and filled with smoke, working through the challenges presented by that environment, and successfully extracting a victim who had become disoriented and unable to rescue herself.
“The education, training, experience, and teamwork paid off,” Chief Ewers said. “This is why we train every day for many different scenarios. To overcome the obstacles that these individuals face when entering a structure on fire, and to successfully extricate a victim, speaks highly about the training and the teamwork we have with our staff.”
Patterson and Hall were presented a Unit Citation Certificate and an award pin along with a copy of the unit award letter. The letter reads as follows:
At approximately 23:58 on April 18th, 2019 the Muscatine Joint Communications Center (MUSCOM) received a report of a structure fire at 403 West 3rd Street in Muscatine. At the time of the call it was reported that a detector had operated and smoke could be smelled coming from an upstairs apartment at this residence.
Upon arrival crews were advised that there was a subject still inside the apartment that was on fire. A person could be heard calling for help. Lieutenant Patterson and Firefighter Hall gained entry into the smoke filled apartment and immediately set to search for the trapped victim. The smoke was reported as very thick and dark, and banked down from the ceiling. Soon upon entering the apartment, FF Hall found the subject in a room, and called to Lt Patterson for help in getting her out. The crew was able to extract the victim without incident, and they carried her to an EMS crew on scene who then began medical treatment for smoke exposure. The subject was transported to Trinity Muscatine where she was treated and released. Patterson and Hall then returned to fire ground activities.
The victim had been exposed to the products of combustion and had injuries related to that exposure.
The attack/rescue group of Patterson and Hall entered an apartment that had active fire and was filled with smoke. They were able to work through the challenges presented by that environment and successfully extract a civilian who had become disoriented and unable to self-rescue. The crew’s actions were done in an effective and efficient manner and lead to the safe recovery of the civilian.
The crew’s education, training, experience, and teamwork paid off. A Unit Citation is being awarded to recognize the skills, and the outstanding performance illustrated during this structure fire rescue event.