Volunteer firefighter for East County Fire Protection District given award for rescue

A volunteer firefighter for the East County Fire Protection District received a Lifesaving Award on Monday night for helping a man who fell into an icy creek in early March.

Scott Kirchhoff, 27, son of fire chief Dwayne Kirchhoff, accepted a plaque commemorating his actions and will have his name placed on the wall of the district's Egypt Mills Station.

On March 9, Kirchhoff was leaving his home to attend fire training when he heard someone yelling, he said.

Recalling that he'd seen someone down on the creek bank earlier that day, he went down to the bank and found a man had slipped and fallen into the icy water.

The water was up to the man's neck, and a large rock had rolled onto his legs, trapping him in the creek.

The victim told Kirchhoff he'd tried to call for help but was unable to get his phone to work.

Eventually, he'd been able to phone 911, and Kirchhoff talked to the dispatcher. He removed the rock and pulled the man up onto the bank.

"He kept yelling that he was cold," Kirchhoff said.

He said he concentrated on trying to help the man out of the water. East County First Responders arrived to assist, and the man was taken to an area hospital for treatment, Kirchhoff said.

"The outcome could have been much worse," firefighter Debbie Maupin said.

Maupin said Kirchhoff reacted to the situation despite not having any medical training. Kirchhoff said he was 17 when he began volunteering with East County.

"It's a proud time for a father and a chief," chief Dwayne Kirchhoff said.

The department asked the victim if he'd like to attend the ceremony, but he declined, Maupin said.

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