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Greenfield Officers Recognized for Heroic Lifesaving Efforts

On Tuesday, October 7, 2008, Officers Jenniger Gain and Matthew Arbinger were recognized at a Common Council Meeting for their heroic actions in saving the life of a fire victim.

On Friday, September 19, 2008 at 5:04PM, Greenfield Dispatch received a call of an apartment fire on the Rivershire Apartment complex at 109^th and Beloit Road.

Officers Jennifer Gain and Matthew Arbinger arrived on the scene and reported a working fire with heavy smoke.

The officers determined that the fire was located in a second story apartment and several bystanders reported that a victim was trapped in that apartment. Officer Gain directed bystanders to find a ladder to access the second story balcony.

After obtaining a ladder, both officers climbed to the balcony and gained entry to the apartment through the patio door. Without regard to their own safety, both officers entered the apartment which was filled with smoke and flame and located the victim lying on the floor unresponsive. They were able to drag the victim to the balcony and shelter him there until the arrival of fire personnel.

Although the victim suffered burns and smoke inhalation, the selfless and heroic actions of Officer Matthew Arbinger and Officer Jennifer Gain, without regard to the personal safety, certainly saved his life.