City of Oak Creek

Common Council Report

Meeting Date:  May 4, 2004

Item No.:         6

Recommendation:  That the Mayor and Common Council be present for the recognition of members of the City of Oak Creek Fire, Police and Health Departments for actions at the fire at Lake Forest Apartments on April 23, 2004.

Background:  On April 23^rd a fire broke out at the Lake Forest Apartments at 02:26 a.m.  Numerous residents were trapped by the fire and toxic smoke.  Police and Fire units arriving at the scene were faced with the need to rescue numerous residents and to stop the fire from spreading throughout the complex.  Working as a team they went to work to rescue the trapped residents at great risk to themselves.  Fire crews stopped the spread of the fire through the hallways and moved in to extinguish the fire in the fully involved apartment.

Emergency medical units transported residents who were injured or suffering from smoke inhalation.  Members of the City of Oak Creek Health Department and the Red Cross worked together to find alternate living arrangements for the residents who were displaced by the fire.

Mutual aid units from South Milwaukee, Cudahy, St. Francis, the 440^th, Franklin, Caledonia, Milwaukee and Greenfield also responded to assist our crews.

Tonight the Fire and Police Chiefs will present additional information on the fire and present formal commendations to employees whose efforts that night went above and beyond the call of duty.

Fiscal Impact:  This item is informational only.

Prepared and Approved by:

Gerard R. Hammernik     Thomas Bauer

Fire Chief                          Police Chief

Fiscal Review by

Beverly A. Buretta, CMC

City Clerk