FIRE IN FRIDAY HARBOR

Chaffee named Everyday Hero

posted 05/13/06
The Kiwanis Club of Friday Harbor presented their Everyday Hero Award to Frank Chaffee of the Town of Friday Harbor Fire Department on Thursday May 11, 2006. The award honors local citizens who have made a significant difference in the community. Through their selfless attitudes and desire to help others they have become everyday heroes.

Chaffee was honored for his long service to the Town of Friday Harbor and San Juan County and specifically for his heroic act on July 13, 2005 when he entered a smoke filled home to remove an elderly woman, Elizabeth Forsman, and save her life. Kiwanis joins the community in offering Frank their heartfelt thanks for his good citizenship and outstanding efforts.

Deputy, firefighter rescue 94-year-old woman
from burning house

Photos by Rick Galer and Sharon Kivisto

The house (visible on the left) was surrounded by trees and shrubs.
Sharon Kivisto photo

updated 1:00 a.m. 07/14/05
A San Juan County sheriff's deputy and a Friday Harbor firefighter rescued a 94-year-old woman from a burning home off Marguerite Street. The home's roof was on fire and its interior was filling with smoke when Deputy Lyle Tarte and Training Officer Frank Chaffee entered the building shortly after 11 p.m. Wednesday, July 13.

They had pounded on the doors and windows trying to see if any one was home. Tarte pulled the locked screen door open. The resident, Elizabeth Forsman, had been in bed. Tarte and Chaffee entered the house and helped her escape. She was treated by paramedic Jim Ricks and transported to a friend's home.

Friday Harbor and San Juan Island firefighters had the fire under control at 12:18 a.m. The house had a cedar shingle roof and siding and was surrounded by trees.

Rick Galer photo

Rick Galer photo

Sharon Kivisto photo

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