Two Centralia City firefighters received letters of commendation from the Centralia City Council Monday night for their efforts to save the life of a 66-year-old Centralia woman who was found unconscious in her home on Bond Street with smoke inhalation and burns.
Firefighter Drake Tate was able to remove 66-year-old Vicky Roe from the couch that had earlier been on fire. Lieutenant Robert Smith then assisted in CPR at the scene and on the way to St. Mary’s Hospital.
Fire Chief John Lynch credited the two 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.
After presenting the awards, Mayor Bryan Kuder announced unfortunately Roe had died at a St. Louis hospital from her injuries.
In other action, the city council approved a one-percent retroactive wage increase for 2020 and 2021 for the Command Unit of the Police Department. The case had gone to arbitration before the arbitrator ruled the union should receive the same one percent pay increases as other city unions. The contract expires in just six weeks.
