Dramatic Water Rescue on Council Oak Drive
in the White Oak Neighborhood

January 17, 2004 1559hrs:

Units from Waldorf responded for a report of a small child trapped in a pond behind a residence on Council Oak Drive. While units were enroute, Communications advised several Sheriffs Office units were on the scene with a small child that had fallen through the ice into the water approximately 65 feet from shore and they were attempting enter the water. Minutes later, Rescue Squad 3 and Engine 32 arrived on the scene to find the child still in the freezing water. Several CCSO officers had attempted to swim out to the child but were unable to get more than a few feet from shore before turning back. Lt. Phil Stevens and F/F Andrew Rimm had donned the cold-water suits while enroute in the back of Rescue Squad 3 and immediately entered the water upon arriving at the scene. While the inflatable boat was being prepared, a lifeline was attached to Lt. Stevens and he successfully swam out to the child with a life preserver. Lt Stevens stopped just short of the child and threw the life preserver ahead, however the child advised he was unable to move and could not reach it. Lt. Stevens then swam up behind the child and was able to grab onto him safely. As soon as Lt. Stevens grabbed the child, the firefighters onshore pulled them both back to safety by the lifeline. The child was immediately turned over to the waiting EMS units with signs of severe hypothermia. As the ambulance and Medic crews worked on the child, Engine 32 responded to Chaney Ball Field where MSP Trooper 2 had already arrived on scene. Ambulance 38 transported the child to the landing site where he was then transferred to the waiting helicopter. The child, along with his mother, was then flown to Children's Hospital Center in Washington DC

Due to a combined effort of all the individuals listed below, the life of a 10 year old child was spared. The Waldorf Volunteer Fire Department would like to acknowledge each and everyone listed below for an outstanding job well done.

RESCUE SQUAD 3
Sgt Ben Jenkins
Scott Sefton
Dale Peterson
Andrew Rimm
Marty Thompson
Sgt Josh Ringgold
Lt Phil Stevens

ENGINE 32
Capt Ryan Pagel
Mike Fischer
David Klinikowski

EMS UTILITY 3
Chris Reeher
Dwayne Mowry

AMBULANCE 38
Pete Hicks
Monica Davidson
Tina Hagens
Molly Higden

FIRE CHIEF
Dan Stevens

AMBULANCE 128
Tom Houle
Jason Tyler

MEDIC 21
Sue Perry
John Filer

MEDIC ONE
Susan Shell
Dennis Strobel

CHARLES COUNTY
SHERIFFS OFFICE
PO2 Kennedy (366)
CPL Cuyler (K9-295)
CPL Zink (255)
PFC Deehan (269)
PFC Strafella (250)
Sgt Shoemaker(252)

MARYLAND STATE
POLICE
TFC Bouknight
TFC Scott
TFC Graham

MSP AVIATION
TROOPER 2
Pilot:
Steve Bunker
Medic:
John Peach

The Waldorf VFD would also like to send their appreciation to all the mutual aid companies who responded, but were not utilized.

Waldorf Responding Units: Rescue Squad 3, Engine 32, Ambulance 38, Ambulance 128, EMS Utility 3, Safety 12, and Chief 3.

Mutual Aid Units: Brandywine Squad 40, Charles County Dive Team Co. 13, Marybury Dive Team 8, Medic One, Medic 21, and Indian Head Ambulance 98 (Warm Oxygen System).