Lock Haven firemen recognized for “distinguished service” at August fire

LOCK HAVEN, PA – Seven Lock Haven firemen were recognized at Monday night’s city council meeting for their meritorious service during an August fire. All seven were involved in rescuing a woman and her infant child and a disoriented male during the course of a fire at 720 E. Bald Eagle Street on Aug. 20.

Those given Firefighter Distinguished Service Citations were Captain Jake Neff, Lieutenant William Bailey, fire fighter/EMT Matthew Hahn, driver/operator Jerry Ward and fire fighters Mathew Croak, Bryan Strouse and Hunter Stover.

The presentations were made by Lock Haven Fire Chief Norm Wolfrom and Fire Administrator Bob Neff. Mayor Joel Long thanked the firemen for their service to the community and their respective roles in preventing any tragedy at the August fire.

Chief Wolfrom said several of the responding firemen found the woman and her child on the balcony directly above a burning apartment, in immediate danger, and that crew, led by CPT Neff, quickly deployed a ground ladder and removed the victims from the hazardous condition. A second four-member crew, led by LT Bailey, entered the second floor of the building, the structure with intense heat and zero visibility, and found a disoriented male and led him to safety.

The citations are awarded to firemen who “perform lifesaving interventions under adverse and hazardous conditions.”