WOODLAND — Jack Tapani was playing outside on April 29 with his younger brother, Louis, when their parents stepped inside for a moment.
With no adults outside, it was up to Jack, 11, to spring into action when Louis, 10, fell into a bonfire. Jack dragged his brother out of the pit, put out the fire on Louis’ body and clothes and ran to get his parents, who took Louis inside and placed him in a cold shower until the first responders reached their rural Woodland home. Louis is still healing after burns to the right side of his face, neck, shoulder and arm.
“(Louis) was suffering a medical emergency,” Clark County Fire & Rescue Chief John Nohr said. “He couldn’t get himself out and his face was down on the coals. He very well could’ve gotten an airway burn like that. Those are usually fatal.”
For his actions, Jack was honored with a Life Saver Award from Clark County Fire & Rescue Wednesday while Woodland Middle School held its last day of the year assembly. Jack was surprised by the award when he was called in front of the rest of the school during the assembly to be honored.
Nohr, joined by Capt. David Greenwood and members of Station 29, which responded to the call, praised Jack’s quick thinking and gave him a certificate for the Life Saver Award, a Challenge Coin, a letter and a patch.
“This was truly a life-saving action,” Nohr said. “We need to recognize the actions of our community members when something like this occurs.”
‘Do the right thing’
During the assembly, Nohr told students that firefighters aren’t the only heroes, and plenty of people help save lives.
“Despite him being afraid and nervous, (Jack) did the right thing,” Greenwood said at the assembly. “We always want you to do the right thing.”
Nohr said he was thankful the fire department could coordinate with the school district and Woodland Police Department to honor Jack at the assembly, even if Jack was a bit taken back by the attention. He didn’t want to be interviewed or have his picture taken for this story.
Jack and Louis’ mother, Christina Tapani, said she’s grateful for how quickly everyone responded that day.
“I just want to thank the fire department and EMTs for their service,” she said. “I’m thankful that Jack was in the right place at the right time.”
