At the April 15 City Council meeting, Lieutenant Casey Johnson, Firefighter Matt Chapman, and Firefighter Jon Kennelly received a Life Saving Award for rescuing an adult male with an altered mental status who was struggling to swim.
Recognizing that additional resources would likely not arrive in time, Johnson, Chapman, and Kennelly quickly gathered rescue equipment and initiated a water rescue. Despite the man being noncompliant and unable to respond to verbal directions, the three worked together to pull him to safety.
Fire Chief Bethany Brunsell, who presented the awards, said, “to these fire department members, it wasn’t a big deal – it's what they do. But without a doubt, Lt Johnson, Firefighter Chapman, and Firefighter Kennelly saved the man’s life.”