Bravery, teamwork and a spirit of community service were on full display when a group of four Florida electric cooperative lineworkers took swift action to save a man and woman from a camper fire.
The team from Wewahitchka-based Gulf Coast Electric Cooperative was en route to install a new service in Gulf County in March when they noticed thick black smoke rising from an RV park.
“It was just coming over the trees as we were coming down the highway, and we knew something wasn’t right,” said Tyler Whitten, a line apprentice. “We slowed down and we noticed the camper was smoking.”
The lineworkers pulled into the park’s driveway to investigate and saw flames shooting out of the camper. A male leg amputee was lying on the porch, unable to move. Underneath him was a woman who had apparently fallen while trying to move him.
At the scene were several neighbors, who had called 911 and were struggling to move the pair out of harm’s way. As the fire was intensifying, Whitten managed to free the panicked woman but was unable to move the man. He estimated the couple to be in their 60s or 70s.
With the woman at a safe distance from the burning camper, Whitten turned his attention to her companion. Unable to lift the man by himself, Whitten called over colleague Braydon Nunnery, a line apprentice, and they carried the victim over to safety.
Meanwhile, journeyman lineman Hunter Jenks, with help from foreman Frankie Bailey, cut the power to the area before joining the rescue effort.
The crew then provided bottled water to the victims, as well as shaken neighbors, and kept bystanders at a safe distance until first responders arrived.
While the man’s dog died in the blaze, the crew’s decisive actions likely saved the couple’s lives, said City of Wewahitchka Assistant Fire Chief Brian Cox, adding that the man was taken to a local hospital where he was treated for smoke inhalation.
“Getting them away from the fire was probably the best thing they could have done,” Cox said. “By the time we got there, the whole camper was on fire.”
Consistent training helps lineworkers keep a “clear head in chaotic situations,” likely leading to a positive outcome, said Gulf Coast EC Director of Safety and Training Cole Barfield.
“I’m super proud of them. I’m glad they were available and paying attention and were able to help.”
Victoria A. Rocha is a staff writer for NRECA.