Two Big Rapids Firefighters were honored by the City Commission this week with a lifesaving award.

Firefighters Bethany Hamilton and Cosme Monsivais were honored for their efforts to save a woman caught in a fire at Cardinal Park Apartments back in January.

Captain Sean Wethington told commissioners about the rescue.

“On the afternoon of January 17 2021, City Fire crews were dispatched to a report of smoke in an apartment at Cardinal Court, on the Campus of Ferris State University. While enroute crews were updated that flames could be seen in the kitchen of the apartment and a resident was heard screaming from inside.” Wethington said.

“Engine 2 with Firefighters Hamilton and Monsivais were directed to pull hose and prepare for fire attack and primary search. Without hesitation they both made entry into the apartment where they encountered pre-flashover conditions to include high heat, flames stretching across the ceiling and smoke banked down to the floor creating zero visibility. Monsivais's quick water application allowed Hamilton to break off from fire attack and perform a primary search without the protection of a hose line.”

“Hamilton radioed command stating that a victim had been located in the hallway outside the bathroom. Hamilton, without assistance removed the victim from the apartment passing patient care off to responders outside. Hamilton then returned into structure to complete her search for other possible victims. Finding none, Hamilton then turned her efforts back to fire attack with FF Monsivais.”

 

“Firefighter Hamilton and Firefighter Monsivais completed tasks that day that under normal circumstances are completed by teams of 2 or more firefighters. Both members disregarded their own personnel safety to bravely and without hesitation execute the duties assigned to them. Because of their actions the victim was located and removed in less than 10 min after the initial dispatch, giving the victim the absolute best chance at survival.” Wethington told the commission.

Big Rapids Mayor Fred Guenther thanked Hamilton and Monsivais for their heroic actions during that day.

Also at Monday's meeting, Ginny Spedowske accepted a certificate of appreciation for her late husband Richard Spedowske for his 13 years of service on the Big Rapids Parks and Recreation Board and for his routine maintenance of the Hemlock Park Big Rapids Ice Rink.