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February 2008 Success Of The Month

During the early morning hours of January 22, 2008 Miami Township Police Officers received a report of a residential fire at the Martinelli Residence located at 6211 Cook Road. Sergeant Young, and his night shift squad, arrived on scene at about 4:43 A.M and were met by an active structure fire. The home was involved to the point that flames

Sgt Young

Officer Rasfeld

Officer Murray

were visible through the windows and smoke was billowing from the eves of the roof. The first two officers to arrive on the scene, Sergeant Young and Officer Rasfeld, wasted no time in their initial attempts to protect life and property. Officer Rasfeld went to his trunk to retrieve a fire extinguisher as Sergeant Young began searching for a way through the flames to locate any potential victims that may have been inside. As he ran to the back of the residence, and made his search for access, Sergeant Young found that all of the windows and doors were locked and nothing could be seen through the windows due to the thick smoke inside. He kicked his way through the rear door to a laundry area but could only gain a narrow access due to the doorway being obstructed by a washer and dryer. Sergeant Young squeezed his way through the opening and entered the laundry room which had not yet completely filled with smoke. Once inside, Sergeant Young observed another door that led into the main living area of the house. The door was too hot to touch so he breached the door by kicking it open. It would only open about twelve inches as thick smoke, and a rush of hot air, poured into the laundry room from the other side. Sergeant Young had to retreat back outside for fresh air. As he shined his light back toward the door and yelled to anyone who might be inside, he heard a loud explosion and glass breakage. Then he saw a human hand and forearm drop to the floor through the opening behind the inner door. Sergeant Young could see that the victim was badly burned and that the laundry room was now filled with smoke. Visibility was obstructed and it became very difficult to breath. He advised the communication center of his situation and requested immediate assistance. Officers Rasfeld and Murray arrived, and together, the three officers attempted to push the door open and rescue the unconscious victim. All three officers were trying their best to hold their breath and avoid breathing the noxious fumes. At one point Officer Rasfeld could not be seen from the waist up as he was completely engulfed in the black smoke. Each of the officers then took turns alternating into the smoke in an attempt to move the victim and open the door as there was only enough room for one officer to work at a time. All the while they were hearing additional explosions from within. The officers retreated for fresh air and it became apparent to Sergeant Young that they were not making progress. He knew that the situation was deteriorating with each second that passed by. It was at that moment that he decided to force his way through the small opening into the main house so he could move the victim whose position was blocking the doorway. With Officer Rasfeld's assistance, Sergeant Young squeezed through the small opening and into the deadliest and most dangerous part of the scene. Once inside, Sergeant Young, unable to breath, turned his back to the flames, grabbed the 225 pound victim by his belt, picked him up from the floor and pulled him backward away from the doorway. Officer Rasfeld was then able to push the door all the way open and begin pulling the victim through the doorway. Sergeant Young, feeling the burning sensation on his head and believing that his uniform had caught fire, exited the laundry room. Officer Rasfeld continued pulling the victim through the doorway to a point where his upper torso was in the laundry room and somewhat cooler air. At that point fire personnel arrived, took the victim outside to the patio and began treating him for severe burns. The victim was breathing on his own. The actions of Sergeant Young and Officers Rasfeld and Murray prevented the imminent death of Mr. Martinelli that morning. Regrettably, Mr. Martinelli did succumb to his injuries on February 15. These Officers will be honored at the March 18 Trustees meeting.