Date: 9th December, 2021
A Christchurch man has been presented with a Chief Fire Officer’s Commendation and a Bronze Medal from the Society for the Protection of Life from Fire following his brave actions at a property fire earlier this year.
Luke Carmichael received his awards from the Chief Fire Officer of Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service, Ben Ansell, at a presentation held at Christchurch fire station.
He was initially nominated for the commendation by Watch Manager Martin Charles, who attended the fire in Purewell on 8 March; Mr Ansell then nominated him for further recognition from the Society for the Protection of Life from Fire.
A Chief Fire Officer’s Commendation has also been presented to Nina Barratt in relation to the same incident.
In his nominations, Watch Manager Charles explained how the crew from Christchurch had arrived on scene to find a well-developed house fire. Prior to their arrival, Luke – a firefighter in another Service – had been made aware of smoke coming from the property, as he lives nearby.
He forced entry into the rear of the property, searched the first floor, most of the ground floor, then entered the room on fire and found the occupant. He rescued the lady and carried her outside to the front of the property, where he started CPR.
Nina – a Clinical Research Nurse from Royal Bournemouth Hospital UHD – also lives nearby and joined Luke in administering CPR, and this was continued for some considerable time until the casualty could be taken into the care of the ambulance service and transported to hospital.
Sadly, the elderly lady who was rescued died the next day in hospital; however, she was given the best life-saving intervention available thanks to Luke’s courage in rescuing her from the property, and the immediate treatment she received from both Luke and Nina.
Chief Fire Officer Ben Ansell said: “The Chief Fire Officer’s Commendation is the highest award I can offer to a member of the public for acts of outstanding bravery, selflessness or courage in the face of adversity. Both Luke and Nina showed incredible presence of mind to do what they did on that day, and they both thoroughly deserve this recognition.”
Mr Ansell added: “In exceptional cases, I will also make a nomination to other bodies, and I was extremely pleased that the Society for the Protection of Life from Fire has recognised Luke for his incredible bravery on that day. It was my honour to make the presentation of a bronze medal on their behalf.”
