H*3984 Concurrent Resolution, By Huggins and Quinn
 A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION TO COMMEND AND CONGRATULATE DEPUTY CHIEF GREG MUNDY
 AND LIEUTENANT KEVIN SWAIM OF THE IRMO FIRE DISTRICT FOR THE HEROISM AND
 BRAVERY THEY DISPLAYED BY ENTERING A BURNING RESIDENTIAL STRUCTURE, LOCATING,
 AND RESCUING TWO TRAPPED VICTIMS AND TO RECOGNIZE THAT THE OFFICERS HAVE
 RECEIVED HEROISM AWARDS FROM FIREHOUSE MAGAZINE FOR THEIR COURAGEOUS EFFORTS.

   04/19/01  House  Introduced, adopted, sent to Senate HJ-68
   04/24/01  Senate Introduced, adopted, returned with concurrence SJ-21

TO COMMEND AND CONGRATULATE DEPUTY CHIEF GREG MUNDY AND LIEUTENANT KEVIN SWAIM OF THE IRMO FIRE DISTRICT FOR THE HEROISM AND BRAVERY THEY DISPLAYED BY ENTERING A BURNING RESIDENTIAL STRUCTURE, LOCATING, AND RESCUING TWO TRAPPED VICTIMS AND TO RECOGNIZE THAT THE OFFICERS HAVE RECEIVED HEROISM AWARDS FROM FIREHOUSE MAGAZINE FOR THEIR COURAGEOUS EFFORTS.

Whereas, at approximately 4:30 a.m. on March 8, 2000, the Irmo Fire District responded to a residential structure fire at 119 Minehead Road. Deputy Chief Greg Mundy arrived on the scene first in his department vehicle, and reported light smoke visible from the eaves of the structure. Lieutenant Kevin Swaim, a volunteer officer, arrived on the scene in his personal vehicle; and

Whereas, a 911 operator received information that a person was trapped inside the burning structure on the second floor because of heavy smoke and fire in the hallway. Deputy Chief Mundy decided to enter the burning structure to attempt a rescue even though the first-due engine company was several minutes away, and the men had only one self-contained breathing apparatus unit; and

Whereas, Deputy Chief Mundy forced open the front door and heavy black smoke banked all the way to the floor with fire visible adjacent to the stairway. Lieutenant Swaim entered the structure wearing full protective equipment, made his way to the second floor to locate the victim and began to ventilate the second floor by taking out a window which allowed the smoke to clear; and

Whereas, Lieutenant Swaim heard voices of multiple trapped victims, and followed the voices to locate the victims. He immediately removed the first victim to the top of the stairway where Deputy Chief Mundy, who was in full protective equipment except for a self-contained breathing apparatus unit, took over and guided the victim down the stairway and outside to safety. Mundy returned to the top of the stairway to retrieve the second victim whom Lieutenant Swaim had located and guided the second victim to safety outside also; and

Whereas, Lieutenant Swaim continued to search for a reported third victim. The first due engine company arrived and assisted Lieutenant Swaim with a hoseline to contain the fire and conduct a secondary search. No other victims were located, and the original victims confirmed that no other occupants were home; and

Whereas, due to the efforts and bravery of Deputy Chief Mundy and Lieutenant Swaim of the Irmo District, the lives of both victims were saved; and

Whereas, Deputy Chief Greg Mundy and Lieutenant Kevin Swaim have received individual heroism awards from Firehouse Magazine. Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the House of Representatives, the Senate concurring:

That the members of the General Assembly, by this resolution, congratulate and commend Deputy Chief Greg Mundy and Lieutenant Kevin Swaim of the Irmo Fire District for the heroism and bravery they displayed in entering a burning residential structure, locating, and rescuing two trapped victims, and recognize the officers have received heroism awards from Firehouse Magazine for their courageous efforts.

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to Deputy Chief Greg Mundy, Lieutenant Kevin Swaim, and Chief Mike Sonefeld of the Irmo Fire District.