Three Susanville Police Officers and three Cal-FIRE Firefighters were honored Wednesday night at the Susanville City Council meeting for their heroic actions during a July residential fire on Mesa Street – where they literally rushed into a burning building to save the life of a woman who was trapped inside.
When fire crews first arrived on-scene at the fire they were advised that a person was inside the burning residence, confined to a bed and unable to get out of the home.
The crew from Cal-FIRE’s Engine 2261, along with members of the Susanville Police Department immediately made entry into the front of the house and successfully removed the occupant, despite not having time to don their normal complement of respiratory and safety gear.
Susanville Public Safety Chief Michael Bengoa-Bollinger played bodycam video footage of the rescue which took place in triple digit temperatures. The video showed the chaotic, smoke-filled scene from the officer’s point-of-view as they braved flames and smoke to reach the woman trapped inside.
SPD Officer Victor Salas, Sergeant Kevin Singletary and Officer Erica Tassone, along with Cal-FIRE firefighters Logan Ito, Jason Baum and Fire Apparatus Engineer John Boshell were all recognized for their bravery and heroic actions.
