Van Nuys : 6 Officers Honored for Heroism During Fire
For their heroism and quick thinking when a fire broke out across from their police station, six Van Nuys Division police officers were honored Thursday by City Councilman Marvin Braude and acting Fire Chief Bill Bamattre.
In a ceremony at Fire Station 39, Officers Lewis Barnes, Thomas Bibbs, Joe Gonzales, Jesse Kane, David Keortge and Eric Windham received city certificates of commendation.
On Dec. 17, the six evacuated about 25 residents from La Casita Hotel on Sylvan Street in Van Nuys after an accidental fire broke out.
“The officers saw a need, and because they are the public servants that they are, they entered a burning building--at considerable risk to their personal safety--to evacuate people,” Fire Department Capt. Chris Oelrich said.
The police officers responded immediately, despite their lack of protective equipment. The building was evacuated by the time firefighters arrived, five minutes later.
“For those of us in the fire business, it’s bad enough to extinguish a fire without being concerned about rescue,” Oelrich said.
The police officers’ evacuation efforts “made our job a lot easier,” he said.
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