Deputy’s quick action and emergency-response training helped rescue a 3-year-old.
Deputy’s quick action and emergency-response training helped rescue a 3-year-old.
A Florida cop saved a 3-year-old boy from a house fire on Oct. 17.
Police body-cam footage shows a Flagler County officer approaching the house, as sirens are heard in the background. He is told, via radio, three people live in the home. The police officer reports he sees flames, but no one appears to be home.
He knocks on the door and shouts “sheriff’s office,” but gets no reply. Then he makes his way around back. A dog can be heard barking, and the officer reports animals are inside.
The patio door is unlocked and the officer makes his way in, where he is greeted by a young boy. “Where is your mommy?” the officer asks. He picks up the boy and heads outside, toward a fire engine. He then hands the boy to a female firefighter along with the boy’s phone, before running back to the burning house.
The footage was shared online by the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office, which said: “On October 17, 2021, the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office (FCSO) responded to a residence in the W section of Palm Coast about a house fire. K-9 Deputy First Class (DFC) Marcus Dawson arrived at the scene and observed movement in the back master bedroom of the residence and found a 3-year-old hiding in fear.
“DFC Dawson met with a neighbor who advised the fire started in the kitchen, and he had not seen the three occupants that day. Upon checking the exterior of the residence, DFC Dawson observed a fire on the stove that was spreading to the cabinets. There was thick black smoke filling the residence and dogs barking at the sliding glass door of the rear bedroom. DFC Dawson made verbal commands into the residence and did not receive any response.”
Dawson quickly searched the premises and discovered the child.
“The toddler immediately received medical attention and was cleared on scene. Upon meeting with the toddler’s father, it was determined the father went to pick up dinner and left the sleeping child home with an older sibling,” the Sheriff’s Office said.
The older sibling was not home when the rescue occurred.
Sheriff Rick Staly said: “Without DFC Dawson immediately running toward danger, even without a safety respirator, this could have been a much different outcome.
“… thankfully, DFC Dawson’s training in emergency response allowed him to find this child and safely rescue him. This was a dangerous situation, and we are very proud of DFC Dawson’s bravery and commitment to serving this community and saving a life.”
The Palm Coast Fire Department believes the fire to be accidental and possibly cooking-related,” according to the Sheriff’s Office.
Edited by Fern Siegel and Kristen Butler
