HomeMy WebLinkAboutEFD Cert of Merit
City of Edina • 4801 W. 50th St. • Edina, MN 55424
Contact: Jordan Gilgenbach, Communications Coordinator
Phone 952-826-0396 • jgilgenbach@EdinaMN.gov • www.EdinaMN.gov
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Two City Employees Recognized With Fire Department’s
Certificate Of Merit
Edina, Minn., Oct. 17, 2012 – Two City of Edina employees were recently recognized for their life-saving
efforts.
On Oct. 2, a small group was dropped off at Centennial Lakes Park. A 96-year-old man separated from the
group with a fishing pole and headed toward the lake, just north of Hughes Pavilion. The man stepped on the
lowest step, lost his balance and fell into the lake. Panic set in, sending the man further into the lake.
Centennial Lakes Park Manager Tom Shirley rushed to see what was happening after noticing a large group
gather. Attempts to direct the man safely back to the side of the lake were deemed useless as neither the man
nor the group spoke much English.
Shirley and Park Maintenance Supervisor Doug May jumped into the lake without hesitation, just as the man’s
head started to sink under water. They lifted the man back to the landing and called 9-1-1. Both men stayed
with the victim to wait for Edina Fire Department paramedics to arrive.
“If it weren’t for the quick actions of Tom [Shirley] and Doug [May], this could have been a very tragic event,”
Edina Fire Chief Marty Scheerer said. “I am proud to present them with the Fire Department’s Certificate of
Merit.”
Scheerer presented the men with Certificates of Merit at the Oct. 16 meeting of the Edina City Council.
According to the Edina Fire Department’s directive, a Certificate of Merit is the highest award given to non-
Fire Department members for their life and property saving efforts.
For more information, visit www.EdinaMN.gov/Fire, or call the Edina Fire Department at 952-826-0330.
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