Yuma Fire Department recognizes citizens for their help

Two Yuma citizens were recognized for help they provided to their fellow citizens in emergencies on Wednesday.

Angela Matthews received a Heroism Award and Jeffery Bergin received a Lifesaving Award from Mayor Douglas Nicholls, Fire Chief Steve Irr, and City Administrator Greg Wilkinson.

On Friday, May 18, at approximately 10:42 pm, Yuma Fire Department personnel responded to a reported traffic crash with people trapped in the 4600 block of west 16 th St. On arrival, a passenger car was found next to an APS pole with severe damage to the entire vehicle, with two people trapped inside. The passenger car had been struck by a large tow truck.

On scene when YFD personnel arrived was Angela Matthews, a certified Emergency Medical Technician who works for the Crossroads Mission. Angela had come upon the scene and began to assist the conscious but badly injured driver, stabilizing his neck, talking to him, and keeping him calm until Paramedics arrived. This crash scene (late at night and on the extreme west end of Yuma), was a hectic and potentially dangerous place to be, but Angela did what she knew to be the right thing to do.

On Wednesday, June 13, at approximately 7:30 p.m., Claudia Barrera, and her 3 year old daughter Emily, were wading in the Colorado River when the mother’s feet were swept out from beneath her and the current pulled her into deep water. She was underwater and trying to hold the child above her head but did not have the strength to keep them both above water.

Fortunately, Jeffrey Bergin was enjoying the river that evening and saw what was going on. He sprang into action and swam across the river to retrieve Emily. Claudia was then able to get herself to safety. Claudia and Emily were evaluated by YFD personnel and found to not require additional treatment.

It was the opinion of the Fire Captain on scene, that had it not been for Mr. Bergin’s actions this would have been a double drowning, as mom said she was not going to let her child go.

Our community is a better and safer place because of citizens like Jeff and Angela who are aware of what is going on around them, willing to step to do the right thing, and quick to react, said YFD.