Within the greater Cincinnati, Hamilton County, Ohio area, three
major tributaries, the Little Miami, Great Miami, and Whitewater Rivers empty into the Ohio River. These
tributaries are extensively used for recreational activities including fishing, tubing, canoeing, and kayaking
leading to a significant number of water rescue emergencies each year. Several departments along these
tributaries have developed an enhanced Mutual Aid response to help handle this type of emergency. On July
24, 2021, the Whitewater River was clogged in places with fallen trees, and other debris from earlier flooding.
These areas are commonly referred to as “strainers”, meaning that while water continues to flow, dangerous
swirling currents frequently draw objects into the debris field. The tubing, canoe and kayak livery companies
had ceased their operations in some of these areas. but despite the reports of fast-moving high water, two
kayakers decided to venture into the Whitewater River. A 911 call from one of the kayakers was received by
the Hamilton County Communications Center (HCCC) indicating that their companion’s kayak had overturned
and that he had fallen into these turbulent waters. Given the approximate last known location of the victim, the
HCCC dispatched the Whitewater Township Fire Department and additional water rescue elements to the
area. Among those responding were the Colerain Township Department of Fire and EMS’s Rescue 26 and
Boat 26, as well as the Cincinnati Fire Department’s Rescue 14 and Boat 14. Prior to their arrival, these Boat
crews could sense from the radio traffic of the on-shore units that the situation was extremely grave.
Colerain’s Boat 26 was first to launch with a three-person crew of Captain Mike Kaake, Lieutenant Kris
Prosser and Firefighter / Paramedic Tyler Abbatiello. When they caught up to the victim, close to the
confluence with the Ohio River, they found he was about to be swept into one of these strainers. Captain
Kaake indicated the victim was bobbing in the river like a fishing float, and at times was being swept under
water by the currents and undertow. Recognizing both the urgency of the situation and under their own grave
personal peril, Lieutenant Prosser maneuvered Colerain Boat 26 within several yards, given the cross
currents, as close to the victim as possible, allowing Captain Kaake and Firefighter Abbatiello, both wearing
personal flotation devices (PFD) to enter the water and swim to the victim. These rescuers at first tried to
place a PFD on the kayaker, but the frantic victim began fighting them and pushing them underwater as he
attempted to stay afloat. Finally, out of exhaustion, the victim stopped fighting and the rescuers were able to
secure a PFD and rope on him. Using part of a nearby tree overhanging the river, Kaake and Abbatiello held
the victim from being swept into the strainer which would have pinned him against the growing debris pile.
After several minutes of this support, Cincinnati’s Boat 14, was able to maneuver into a position that allowed
the rescuers to drop the victim onto the bow of Boat 14 which then took the victim to shore. In the words of
Whitewater Fire Chief Scott Schorsch, “Their (Kaake, Prosser, and Abbatiello) split-second decisions and
swift actions made a difference and saved the victim’s life.” The Colerain Township Department of Fire and
EMS have honored Captain Kaake, Lieutenant Prosser, and Firefighter / Paramedic Abbatiello with the
Department’s Valor Award. as well as Firefighter / Paramedics Allen Coley, Blake Boettcher, and Morgan
Mason from Rescue 26, who assisted with on-shore duties receiving an Outstanding Unit Citation. The
actions of these members of the Colerain Township Department of Fire and EMS, reflect the highest
traditions of their department, and bring great honor to all of us in the profession of Firefighting, Rescue and
Emergency Medical Services. For these reasons we respectfully nominate Captain Michael Kaake,
Lieutenant Kris Prosser and Firefighter Paramedic Tyler Abbatiello for the 2023 Ohio Fire Service Valor
Award
Негізгі бет Фильм және анимация Captain Kaake, Lieutenant Prosser, and Firefighter Paramedic Abbatiello - Valor
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