By Clara Osten
clara@wayneherald.com
A special guest and a special presentation were part of the Mutual Aid meeting at the Winside Volunteer Fire Department on Tuesday.
Nebraska Governor Pete Ricketts was at the meeting to make two Winside residents Admirals in the Nebraska Navy. He honored Steve and Michele Jorgensen for their heroism during a house fire on July 3.
Winside Fire Chief Don Skokan gave a detailed description of the events of the early morning fire at a home at 409 Vroman Street in Winside.
He told those present at Tuesday's event that Steve and Michele Jorgensen live a half block south of the house on fire and happened to wake up and look out their window to see flames on the east side of the house. They called 9-1-1 and proceeded to run to the home — Steve in flip flops and Michele with bare feet.
Steve made his way to the back of the house, past the flames which were melting the siding on the house next door. He made his way into the house and past a Rottweiler, yelling to see if anyone was in the house.
Hailey Steece was house sitting the home for her parents, Justin and Kristina Steece. With her were her two children, five-year old Taleya Grace Whitton and 16-month old Dayton James Whitton.
Hailey answered Steve and she and one of children got out of the house while Steve ran into a bedroom, through the flames and found the sleeping child and was able to get out of the house.
"We truly believe that if it had not been for the actions of Steve and Michele, there would have been a terrible outcome at this fire, with possibly up to three fatalities. Steve and Michele are truly Heroes," Skokan said.
Skokan also noted that because the fire happened on a holiday weekend, and the fact that firefighters were basically on the scene from 3:05 a.m. until 12:49 p.m. in the heat and humidity, mutual aid was requested from Carroll, Wayne, Wakefiled, Randolph, Pierce, Hoskins and Stanton. Area farmers provided water to fight the fire and many residents of Winside responded by providing water and food to those fighting the fire.
Also on scene were the Red Cross and Wayne Sheriff's Department.
For their efforts, the governor presented the couple with membership in the Great Navy of Nebraska and challenge coins. He shared the history and significance of the coins, which date back to World War I and Americans who were fighting with the French in the war.
Gov. Ricketts also thanked all the volunteer firefighters and praised Nebraskans for their volunteer work in whatever type of emergency should arise.
Following the presentations, the governor joined the group for food and conversation.
