On September 18th at 6:04 p.m., the Portage Fire Department was dispatched to a possible residential fire with smoke in the basement. Units arrived within 5 minutes to find a fire coming from the dryer in the basement. The fire was contained to the dryer and quickly extinguished. Aside from the dryer being destroyed, the home received no structural damage, nobody was injured and the family was not displaced.
The Portage Fire Department gives all of the credit for the minimal damage and the safety of the residents to 11 year old Haley Lawrence. Haley, an Aylesworth Elementary 5th grader, smelled the smoke well before her grandmother Sandra Ragon did. Haley located the smoke in the basement and, remembering the lessoned learned through fire prevention programs taught by PFD at the Portage schools each year, ushered her grandmother outside. Haley even reminded her grandmother that the first call that she needed to make was to 911 and not other family members. When asked why she told her grandmother that, Haley responded, “Because that’s what you told us to do.”
Ironically, Division Chief Chris Kender was scheduled to present the annual fire prevention program at Aylesworth today (Thursday) and firefighters were to eat lunch with the children as has been the annual tradition. Assistant Chief Joe Calhoun wanted to recognize Haley for her outstanding actions and bravery that averted a potential tragedy. During the 5th grade lunch period, with fellow students, school staff and Portage firefighters present, Asst. Chief Calhoun presented Haley with a Young Hero’s Award. Haley was also surprised by her family, including her mother Nicole, present to watch her receive accolades for her extraordinary actions. Katie was also presented with a gift bag including a PFD t-shirt, stuffed dalmatian, department patches and other various items.
Haley’s family was overwhelmed with pride for what this bright young girl had done and the composure that she showed. The Portage Fire Department is equally proud that the message the Division Chief Kender and our firefighters share with the children each and every year does make a difference in our community.