Two members of the Centralia Fire Department will be issued Letters of Commendation Monday night for actions taken at a November 3rd fire where they took actions to save the life of a Centralia woman who was pulled from a fire in her home. Lieutenant Robert Smith and Firefighter Drake Tate were first on the scene of what initially was reported as a medical alert without response. After checking for backdraft potential, the two forced open the front door and found the female occupant, 66-year-old Vicky Roe, lying unresponsive on the floor.
Lifestar Paramedic Ross Smith made the first attempt to rescue Roe, but the heavy smoke and heat forced him to retreat. Tate then made a successful attempt to remove Roe who was without a pulse and breathless. The three then began CPR.
Lt. Smith continued to assist in the ambulance with CPR efforts while on the way to SSM Health St. Mary’s Hospital. Roe was later transferred to a St. Louis Hospital for treatment.
Fire Chief John Lynch recommended the two members of the fire department with the Letter of Commendation for their quick response and acting with heroism in the highest traditions of the fire service by recognizing the severity of the situation and under extremely hazardous conditions took immediate actions without regard to their own safety. Lynch says without the actions of these brave men, this incident could have led to an even more tragic outcome.
The fire was confined to the area of the couch where Roe apparently had been sitting and was mostly out. However, the heat and smoke damage most likely will result in the home being a total loss.
The council will also consider a change in kennel regulations that would require a kennel or rescue shelter with an outside enclosure not to operate on a property less than a half-acre and no closer than 100 feet of any neighboring residential property, structure or development. The change is in response to a proposal submitted for a commercial off leash dog park in the central business district.
The council will be asked to approve a collective bargaining agreement with the Command Unit of the Police Department that went to arbitration. Under the agreement, members of the union will receive a one percent wage increase retroactive for 2020 and 2021. The contract will expire at the end of the year.
The agenda also includes adoption of short term and long term goals established during a recent city council work session.
The city council meeting begins at six Monday night at Centralia City Hall and available to watch through Zoom conference call.
