JACKSON — Municipal officials recently honored local first responders for a successful rescue attempt in November that saved the lives of a disabled resident and his three dogs.
During a Township Council meeting, Councilman Kenneth Bressi presented Jackson Township Volunteer Fire Company No. 1 Assistant Chief Timothy Carson with a mayoral proclamation.
“This proclamation just touches the tip of the iceberg of what our officers and volunteers are exposed to every day,” Bressi said. “When these people take action, they don’t think — it is just what they do, and they take the chance to make the supreme sacrifice for others.”
The incident occurred just after 4 a.m. Nov. 11 when police officers Edward Travisano, Anthony Riso and Jody Benecke responded to a house fire on Pfister Road. The officers observed flames covering the rear and roof of the house and smoke billowing from other areas of the home.
Police said the officers came across two residents who had escaped the fire, a woman and a girl, who told them a 43-yearold wheelchair-bound man was trapped in his first-floor bedroom.
Police said Riso entered the home and found the man, but was unable to move the resident because of the man’s medical condition and the presence of items in the bedroom that were blocking the way. Riso then left the house so as not to be overcome by smoke, according to police.
At about that time, Carson arrived and was preparing to enter the home. Riso, who had experience as a volunteer firefighter, put on a breathing apparatus and entered the home with Carson. They found the man, led him to a window and helped him escape by guiding him to Travisano.
During the rescue, firefighters worked to keep the fire from making its way to the man’s bedroom.
Police said one dog was found in the home and brought outside. Travisano located a second dog in a different room, but the dog would not come out. At that point, Riso entered the home for a third time and carried the dog to safety. Subsequent to that, firefighters entered the home and rescued a third dog.
Police said the fire was deemed to be under control by 5 a.m.
Firefighters from the Whitesville and Cassville fire companies responded to the blaze, as did members of the Jackson Township First Aid Squad.
“It seems like every time we turn around, something is going on in Jackson where our police and firefighters have to step in and save the day,” Council Vice President Scott Martin said. “That is why I am so proud to be part of this township, because of individuals … who do such a great job looking after Jackson and putting the people of Jackson before themselves.”
Members of the Howell First Aid Squad; the Ramtown First Aid Squad of Howell; and the Southard, Adelphia and Freewood Acres fire companies, all of Howell, assisted in the rescue efforts.
Councilman Robert Nixon echoed the sentiments of his fellow council members as he commended the area’s first responders for their efforts.
“You really don’t know when you are going to face that situation — and I don’t know what it is like to be in that situation — but the men and women we have in uniform in this town really are amazing public servants, and they deserve our thanks,” Nixon said.