EMS, firefighters and police received unit citations for the July 29 fire on Sunflower Lane.

These citations are awarded for outstanding service, heroism, or achievement, recognizing collective performance rather than individual acts.

At approximately 5:20 a.m. Mifflin County 911 received a call that a house was on fire with a male victim still trapped inside, who made the call to 911.

Telecommunicator Ryan Barlett took the call and stayed online with the victim.

Sentinel photo by SAM BAUMGARDNER City Hook & Ladder Lt. Randy Baines (center) receives his commendation from Chief Logan Fire Co. Lt. Cody Harsomchuck for his efforts in the rescuing of a man from a mobile home fire.

“Barlett displayed proficiency and processed the call expediently with telecommunicator Matt Yohn being the one to dispatch the fire departments within 43 seconds of receiving the call,” said Cody Harsomchuck, lieutenant/training officer of the Chief Logan Volunteer Fire Dept.

Bartlett remained on the phone with the victim until firefighters arrived.

Barlett gave the victim instructions throughout the call to remain low to the ground and to call out to firefighters when they arrived.

Barlett handled the telecommunications with the fire departments, remaining calm and providing a sense of relief during a high-stress incident.

Mifflin County Regional Police officers Dalton Derugen and Sgt. John Miles first arrived on the scene.

Sentinel photo by SAM BAUMGARDNER Chief Logan Fire Co. Lt. Cody Harsomchuck speaks to those assembled at the Derry Township Supervisors Meeting Tuesday evening during an award presentation by the Supervisors and State Rep. David Rowe to local firefighters who went above and beyond the call of duty while rescuing a man from a mobile home fire on Sunflower Lane in Derry Township in July.

Derugen attempted to make entry into the home but was unable to, so he broke the windows on the front of the trailer, locating the victim and staying with him as firefighters did their job and as EMS readied him for transport.

“The quick response and actions from Derugen allowed the victim to have the best chance of survival,” said Harsomchuck.

“The selflessness that Derugen displayed by placing a member of our community’s safety before his own shows a level of dedication to service to our community.”

Paramedics from FAME EMS, including Capt. Justin Martin, Steve Bohr and Caitlin Miller as well as EMS Vehicle Operator Jon Lyter were also recognized.

“Bohr and Miller provided expert advanced life-saving measures to give the victim the highest chance at survival,” said Harsomchuck.

“Their willingness and readiness to take over patient care does not go unnoticed.”

Harsomchuck stated that FAME packed and transported the patient to the helicopter in just six minutes.

“Paramedics Bohr, Miller, Lyter, and Martin proved a high level of service, and their actions reflect great credit on themselves, FAME EMS, Derry Township and Mifflin County as a whole.”

Junction Fire Co. firefighters, including Chief Scott Beers, Deputy Chief Terry Beers, Assistant Chief William Beers, Capt. Zach Myers, Bryce Slemons, Caden Liddick and safety officer Ryan Pauly were also given citations for their part in navigating this emergency.

“Truck 15 was the first fire department to arrive on scene with Zack Myers locating the victim in the living room; he used the dirty rag method to move him as he was immobile,” said Harsomchuck.

The victim was moved next to a window where he could be extracted with the help of Terry Beers.

While both Beers and Myers were working together to get the victim out of the window, Bryce Slemons was knocking the fire located on the front porch and around the window making conditions easier for the victim.

Caden Liddick assisted with the extraction from the outside.

William Beers drove Truck 15 to the scene, playing a vital role in the safe arrival of the crew and making sure there is a strong flow of water attacking the fire at all times.

Chief Logan firefighters, including Lt. Cody Harsomchuck, Assistant Chief Marc Chesney, Fire Chief Eric Moist, DJ Briggs, Jarrett Stull, Sierra Stull and Rich Romig received citations for their part as well.

Harsomchuck assisted Regional Police with locating the victim before using a pressured hose to take out the fire on the front porch until truck 15 got water to their attack line.

Firefighters DJ Briggs and Sierra Stull assisted on the exterior with removing the victim from the window.

Chesney who helped with getting the victim to safety quickly suggested turning the window into a door allowing them more room to get the victim out.

Firefighter Jarrett Stull made entry through the back and assisted Truck 15 with the interior operations of getting the victim to safety.

Once the victim was out, firefighters began taking down the fire completely.

Lewistown Borough Firefighters, including Chief Bob Douglas, Lt. Brian Mowry, Lt. Willie Baumgardner, Matt Moore, Cameron Swartz, Cliff Earnest and Aaron Michalchik.

Douglas and his team arrived just after Chief Logan Fire Department immediately went to work on the fire.

“The bravery and dedication to our community from the members of the Lewistown Borough Fire Department on this incident did not go unnoticed,” said Harsomchuck.

“Both Mowry and Swartz fought their attack lines with solid tactics by effectively attacking the fire which had gotten into the void space between the roof line,” added Harsomchuck.