The Andover fire department is being honored with the 2023 Tom McGaughey Fire Service Award for one of its fire crews heroic actions and dedication when working a house fire earlier this year. It was May 1st when fire fighters were heading to a home that was already full of smoke and flames. While heading there they found out there were two people who were trapped. A man and a woman, both with limited mobility. “It’s what we do; we just adapt to the conditions and situations that we have,” said Chad Cheslik who was the supervisor for the crew of six people working the house fire that day. He explains because of the circumstances they weren’t able to respond to the house fire how they normally do so he had to think and act quickly. Other agencies like Wichita, Sedgwick County, and Rose Hill were sending additional help but Cheslik says there was no time to waste. He and his crew immediately sprung into action, searching the burning house to find the two people and pull them out. “It was extremely hot. We were crawling on our bellies trying to get through, but we knew at that point we weren’t going to make it all the way through the house so we decided to back out and vest through the back window and found her in her bedroom,” he said. The state Fire Marshall’s Office says typically a search and rescue isn’t going above and beyond but because of the conditions and circumstances the fire fighters were working in it describes this rescue as exceptional. While the department is honored to receive the award for a second year in a row Cheslik says it isn’t all celebration. “Unfortunately there was one lost and our hearts go out to the family. So, it’s something you don’t take lightly,” he said. Andover Fire Chief Chad Russell says he’s incredibly proud of every single crew member. He says they train tirelessly to prepare for situations like this one and so many others and they care deeply. “As soon as the bell rings they fly into action because seconds count and this is a great example of that,” he explains. The award is given to a fire fighter or crew that goes above and beyond their basic job responsibilities. Throughout the year nominations are submitted and looked at by the Kansas State Association of Fire Chiefs and the Kansas State Firefighter’s Association.
Source: KAKE – News
