5 civilians, first-responders honored for water rescue

Recognition given at Plainfield Fire Protection District’s board of trustees July meeting

The Plainfield Fire Protection District’s board of trustees recognized eight people along with Plainfield Fire crews at its July meeting for rescuing two unconscious people from the water.

Along with the Plainfield Fire crews, the board recognized five civilians (Joshua Santos, David Ibarra, Damoni Myers, Omar Ortiz, and Sebastian Barraza), Will County Sheriff’s Deputies Daniel Budde and Derek Albin, Plainfield police officer Ricardo Robles.

Here’s what happened.

At 7:25 p.m. June 4, the Plainfield Fire Protection District was sent to the Plainfield Fishing Club, located at 22850 W. Renwick Road for a possible drowning.

In the meantime, Santos, Ibarra, Myers, Ortiz and Barraza went into the water and began rescuing the two people. They had already rescued with a 4-year-old by the time first responders arrived.

The civilians, along with Budde, Albin, Robles and Plainfield Fire District personnel, rescued the 31-year-old.

In addition, the Plainfield Fire Protection District activated the MABAS Division 15 Water Rescue Team to help with the rescue.

This team included Minooka Fire Protection District, Channahon Fire Protection District and Elwood Fire Protection District. Troy Fire Protection District and Lockport Fire Protection District brought ambulances and transported patients from the scene.

Bolingbrook Fire Department, Naperville Fire Department, Oswego Fire Protection District and Romeoville Fire Department provided station coverage for the Plainfield Fire Protection District during the June water rescue.