4 Springfield firefighters honored after rescuing one of their own

SPRINGFIELD — Four Springfield firefighters were honored today with the Medal of Valor for rescuing another firefighter last September.

“It’s a great honor, it’s one of the highest awards that you can receive in the fire service, and it’s great honor that we’re winning an award for that,” Captain Derek Shenefield told News Center 7′s Kayla McDermott.

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Shenefield, Nick Woolever, Kevin Whalen, and Colton Harsh pulled one of their own, James “Rob” Baise, from a house fire after he was injured. The four are being honored for their heroic efforts.

“I think it’s great that the state recognizes events, not only for our department but for departments across Ohio. It’s great that they’re recognizing hard work that’s being done across the state,” Woolever, Springfield Firefighter Paramedic, said.

Springfield Fire Rescue Division was called to the 600 block of Rice Street on September 25 around 2:00 p.m. on a reported house fire.

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“It was a perfectly normal house fire. We were leaving a special event and was in route to it and we realized that it was obviously going to be a pretty pretty involved fire but didn’t realize that we were gonna sustain injuries and have a mayday, mayday call,” Shenefield said.

Woolever, a four-year veteran, said this was one of the most traumatic events of his career so far.

“It started out it wouldn’t have been that big of an event but, after certain things unfolded. The injuries sustained by one of our members and just the unexpected or the surprise of it, and that where you know where he could have been in the structure,” Woolever said

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Fire Chief Brian Miller previously told News Center 7 the fire started in the back corner of the house and spread to the second story. Two crews on the second floor evacuated when they experienced a “sudden increase in temperature.”

While crews evacuated the second floor, Baise, a senior firefighter, fell down the stairs and injured his neck. After they quickly realized that Baise didn’t exit the house, several firefighters went back in and removed him from the home.

Baise was taken to Miami Valley Hospital with what was initially considered critical injuries.

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Captain Shenefield, Woolever, Whalen, and Harsh suffered smoke inhalation and heat exhaustion. They were transported to Springfield Regional Medical Center to be evaluated and treated.

Baise was released from Miami Valley Hospital and then sent to Springfield Regional Medical Center for rehabilitation for his injuries.

“To work with the guys I did that day. It wasn’t my crew at the time, and is now, and I was proud to be with those guys for sure,” Woolever said about being to help that day.

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