According to a Facebook post by the city of Susanville, “At tonight’s City Council meeting, Susanville Police sergeant Kevin Singletary, officer Victor Salas and officer Erica Tassone, along with CalFire Lassen Modoc Unit employees, fire apparatus engineer John Boshell, firefighter Logan Ito and firefighter Jason Baum were recognized for their bravery and heroic team work in rescuing a victim from a structure fire. These fine public servants did what the public expects of them by putting the life of a citizen ahead of their own personal safety.” Photo by Sam WilliamsAt the Wednesday, Sept. 18, Susanville City Council meeting, Public Safety Chief Mike Bollinger recognized the first responders who rushed into a burning Susanville residence in July to save a bedridden resident who was unable to escape the burning building under her own power.
According to a Facebook post by the city of Susanville, “At tonight’s City Council meeting, Susanville Police sergeant Kevin Singletary, officer Victor Salas and officer Erica Tassone, along with CalFire Lassen Modoc Unit employees, fire apparatus engineer John Boshell, firefighter Logan Ito and firefighter Jason Baum were recognized for their bravery and heroic team work in rescuing a victim from a structure fire. These fine public servants did what the public expects of them by putting the life of a citizen ahead of their own personal safety.”
Bollinger recounted the July 19 residential fire in which he said the first responders went “above and beyond.”
Bollinger said Susanville Police officers were the first to arrive at the scene, and the CalFire engines arrived shortly thereafter.
Bollinger shared body cam footage from one of the first responders who entered the burning building and located the resident who told them she was unable to get up on her own. With the sound of sirens and firetrucks in the background, the first responders quickly got a blanket under the woman and carried her outside to safety. One can also hear one of the first responders who entered the smoking building to rescue the woman coughing.
“A lot of times people will come up and say, ‘Hey, you guys take too long, you’re too busy setting things up.’ Here’s one of those instances where there are protocols in place. The state guys, the CalFire guys, our fire guys at the fire department suit up, mask up, SCBA … Obviously, in this instance there wasn’t time for that. As soon as they pulled up our guys are yelling at them — ‘Hey we need help getting this bedridden lady out.’ Within a minute after that this house was fully involved. If they hadn’t gone in and do what they do … ”
Resident saved, two cats perish in North Mesa Street fire
Publisher’s note: Here’s the lassennews.com story from July regarding the incident.
Firefighters rescued a disabled person during a Thursday afternoon fire at a North Mesa residence. Unfortunately, two cats were lost due to smoke inhalation.
According to a statement from the Susanville Fire Department, about 12:54 p.m. Thursday, July 18, the Susanville Interagency Dispatch Center dispatched the SFD and CalFire to a reported fence and backyard fire in the 100 block of North Mesa Street.
CalFire E2261 arrived on scene and encountered heavy smoke and fire coming from the rear of the residence. E2261 was advised a person remained inside the residence confined to a bed and unable to get out of the home. E2261 along with members of the Susanville Police Deptartment made entry into the front of the house and successfully removed the occupant. SFD Truck 1 arrived on scene and immediately upgraded the response to a working structure fire.
T1 requested SEMSA for treatment and transport of the rescued occupant. E2261, T1, and SFD E622 worked together to extinguish the house fire and a shed fire next door.
CDCR E5210 arrived on scene and assisted with extinguishment and salvage and overhaul. The fire damage was limited to the back three rooms of the residence with smoke damage throughout the rest of the residence. The residence was deemed uninhabitable and red tagged by the city building department.
Once the overhaul was completed, a fire investigation began. The fire was determined to have originated in the backyard of the residence; however, the cause is still under investigation.
Investigators are waiting to review surveillance camera footage from the surrounding area.
The rescued occupant suffered smoke inhalation injuries, and there were no firefighter injuries.
Unfortunately, two cats perished inside the residence due to smoke inhalation.
CalFire, the Susan River Fire District, CDCR Fire, Janesville Fire, the Susanville Gas, Water and Building Departments, LMUD and the Susanville Police Department supported the SFD.
The SFD reminds citizens to dispose of burning items properly and to make sure you have the correct number of working smoke detectors in your residence.