HomeMy WebLinkAbout4.B. Life Safety Award
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City of Shakopee ~. B.
Memorandum
TO: Mayor and City Council
Mark McNeill, City Administrator
FROM: Rick Coleman, Fire Chief
SUBJECT: Life Safety Award
DATE: January 5,2010
Introduction
Presentation of Life Safety Award to Eric Bender and Darren Giese
Background
On December 13, 2009, the Sp.akopee Fire Department was called to respond to a person through
the ice in the Minnesota River near Memorial Park.
Upon arrival, fire officers were notified that the Shakopee Police Department had located a man
in the water hanging onto an ice shelf on the north side of the river. Due to the cold water, the
river current and the weather conditions, quick action had to be taken to reach and retrieve the
victim before hypothermia and exhaustion made rescue impossible.
The initial fire department rescue team acted quickly and deployed Eric Bender and Darren
Giese down a vertical slope and onto the river ice using fire department ice rescue suits and
rescue ropes. Eric entered the water off the ice edge from the south side and swam across the
river to where the man was hanging onto an ice shelf. Eric secured the victim. He then worked
with Darren and the shore crew to get the victim across the river. At the ice edge, Eric and
Darren hoisted the victim out of the water onto the ice edge. The victim was quickly carried
upriver and pulled up the riverbank to the trail where he was transported to an ambulance.
In the call of duty, Eric and Darren demonstrated outstanding service to the community. Eric
and Darren reacted quickly and selflessly, placing themselves in harm's way to save another
man's life.
For these actions, the City of Shako pee would like to recognize Eric and Darren with the Life
Safety Award. This is the one of highest honors a firefighter can receive.