Rescue Squad - Life Saver Awards

2007 Life Saver Rescue Award
Jon Koop, Eric Kilpo and Brian Johnson - St. Louis County Rescue Squad

Late on a September afternoon, the Duluth 9-1-1 Center received a report from the Coast Guard of a damaged vessel 200 feet south of the lift bridge out on Lake Superior. The large Coast Guard patrol boat was unable to motor close enough to the vessel to determine whether or not anyone was on board. The Duluth Fire Department and St. Louis County Rescue Squad were immediately dispatched to assist.

Duluth Fire's small boat reached the vessel and found it to be in gear, running and unoccupied. A coordinated search of Lake Superior waters and shoreline was initiated. Jon Koop, Eric Kilpo and Brian Johnson from the St. Louis County Rescue Squad participated in the search with the Rescue Squad Whaler. They made several runs parallel to shore searching for victims. Jon Koop was piloting the boat, Kilpo and Johnson were spotters.

One hour after the initial Coast Guard report, Kilpo spotted a person in the water. The victim was approximately 400 feet from shore, floating on her back and without a life preserver. The three Rescue Squad members pulled her from the water and brought her back to the Coast Guard station. She was treated for severe hypothermia until Gold Cross Ambulance arrived and transported her to the hospital.

The victim had been in the 60 degree water for approximately 90 minutes before being located by the Rescue Squad team. Although still conscious and alert she would not have survived much longer had she not been rescued. Her core temperature was only 95 degrees when she arrived at the hospital.

In addition to Koop, Kilpo, and Johnson, and other members from the St. Louis County Rescue Squad, the following agencies participated in bringing this well-coordinated incident to a successful outcome: Coast Guard, Duluth Fire, Duluth Police, St. Louis County Sheriff's Office, Douglas County Sheriff's Office, Gold Cross Ambulance, and St. Louis County 9-1-1.

Cliffside rappel rescue

Award Recipient: Jason Dickinson, Virginia Fire Department
Award Recipient: Jim Herman, St. Louis County Rescue Squad

On May 26th, 2005 at 9:32 p.m. 911 dispatch received a call that 2 males were stuck part way down a cliff on mining property. One male was on a ledge and able to sit down, the other was only able to stand. The males could not get back up the cliff due to loose rock and could not climb down because it was too steep.

The 2 males were stranded on the cliff wall which was about 200’ with the males approximately 100’ above ground. They had been there for approximately 2 ½ hours.

A top rope rappel rescue was decided upon. The first male was rescued by Jason Dickinson who rappelled down the wall With rocks falling, he covered his victim to keep him safe. The second male was rescued by Jim Herman who rappelled down the wall and brought him to safety. Both men were rescued at 2:24 a.m.