BROOKVILLE — Police and fire personnel who responded to the early morning June 16 house fire at 263 Foothill Drive were recently honored at the July 18 Brookville council meeting.

Two Brookville police officers, who were the first responders on the scene of the fire, were informed that a woman was inside the house.

The officers attempted to enter the house through the front door, but were unable to open it because the 79-year-old woman was lying unconscious behind the door.

Brookville Fire Department personnel arrived a few minutes later and were able to enter the house and pull the woman outside through the front door.

The fire department, with assistance from the police, administered CPR on the unresponsive woman.

Another officer assisted by pulling a gurney out of a medic vehicle and guiding it over to where fire department personnel were performing CPR on the woman.

The woman and another woman, who lived in the house, were transported to Miami Valley Hospital for treatment.

Firefighters also rescued a dog and several cats from the burning house.

Firefighters were able to extinguish the fire within minutes of arriving at the scene.

EMS personnel checked both responding officers’ vitals. The officers, who both had a buildup of soot in their nostrils and airways, were treated at Miami Valley Hospital North in Englewood and released.

“Each of the police officers and firefighters here this evening have accomplished something I’ve rarely seen in my years in the fire service,” Brookville Fire Chief Ron Fletcher said at the council meeting.

Fletcher noted the events that took place on June 16 are one of the biggest challenges a small fire department faces.

“The limited number of personnel responding have quick life or death decisions to make,” Fletcher said.

“Do we treat those in need of care. Do we search for additional victims. Do you fight the fire. Do we split our resources and do one or more of those things poorly,” Fletcher asked.

“How are we going to perform when someone’s life is clearly on the line,” Fletcher continued.

Fletcher said his department answered those questions by handling the situation with absolute skill and professionalism.

“Their teamwork addressed the location and the rescue of a patient, patient care, search and rescue and suppression of fire. These tasks were addressed simultaneously and at a very high level of efficiency,” Fletcher said.

Fletcher pointed out the efficiency of the fire department staff didn’t occur by happenstance.

“Only through countless hours of training and preparation, combined with the willingness to risk much to help someone in their time of need, is this situation addressed successfully,” Fletcher said.

Fletcher also praised the two police officers who provided assistance to the fire department.

Each firefighter and police officer who responded to the house fire received a commendation and a lifesaving award.

Also receiving the commendation and lifesaving award were members of the Phillipsburg Fire Department, who responded to the house fire.

“It’s part of an automatic response we have with the Phillipsburg Fire Department, Fletcher said.

“We respond to each other’s communities and assist one another with our more serious types of emergencies,” Fletcher continued.

The lifesaving award stated: “Your swift and professional action on June 16, 2023, contributed to the saving of another human life in the line of duty. Your efforts are recognized as beyond expectation and you are hereby commended for your service to the Brookville community.”

Receiving the commendation and lifesaving award from the Brookville Fire Department were Mike Hensley, Kyle Sewert, Megan Vaughn, Dave Copely, Dave Schmitt, Kaleb Broomhall, Chad Ferguson, Ridge O’Daniel and Gavin McGriff.

Brookville police officers receiving the commendation and lifesaving award were Tim Beaver and Caleb Shatsby.

Receiving the commendation and lifesaving award from the Phillipsburg Fire Department were fire chief Justin Saunders, Matt Rhoades and Chris Rowher.

Reach Terry Baver at [email protected].