MERIDIAN, Miss. (Queen City Newsfeed) — Several Meridian firefighters were honored at Tuesday’s Meridian City Council meeting for their heroic actions in saving a woman’s life during a house fire in December 2024.
Meridian Fire Chief Michael Evans praised the firefighters for their bravery, noting that several were “newbies” and some had only been on the job for a week.
“They fight fires every day but, on this day, they went above and beyond the call of duty,” Evans said.
On Dec. 12, 2024, the Meridian Fire Department responded to an early morning call at a residence in the 2100 block of 23rd Avenue.
“We were told a victim was inside the house,” Evans said. “Once inside, they found a woman on the bedroom floor, unresponsive.”
The firefighters moved the woman to a safe location and performed lifesaving procedures, ultimately saving her life.
“We have the best fire department in the state of Mississippi,” Evans said. “They used their training, experience and knowledge to get in there quick, get the victim out and save her life.”
Lifesaving medals were presented to Captain Brian McAlister, Captain Chris Gaines, Captain Jakob Hedgepeth, Captain Gregory Pillsbury and Firefighter Casandra Gowdy.
Unit Support Accommodation medals were presented to Battalion Chief Kenny Robinson, Captain William Barr, Senior Fireman Lee Bohl, Firefighter Damon Ford, Firefighter Jaden Hollinsworth, Senior Firefighter Ben Owen, Senior Firefighter Juston Russell, Firefighter Danny Sciple and Firefighter Caden Wheat.
Corporal David McQueen of the Meridian Police Department was also recognized with a Unit Support Accommodation medal for his assistance during the incident.
