Firefighter recognized for bravery

PAWLEYS ISLAND, S.C. — A Midway firefighter was honored by the county and the state for saving the life of a woman who nearly drowned in a pond in Litchfield.
Adam Knowles, a four-year firefighter at Midway, was working a night shift this past winter when he saw a woman whose car was floating about 75 feet offshore in a decorative pond in front of the Hampton Inn, said Midway Fire Chief Doug Eggiman.
The Meritorious Action Award, also given in June to Midway Firefighter Nikki Crippen, shows that Midway emergency workers are always prepared, said Midway Fire Rescue officials.
“On duty, you get thrust into these situations,” said Jeff Pifer, battalion chief at Midway Fire Rescue. “It’s part of our job, but it’s our culture and our nature, too, to help people. Whether it’s on duty or off duty.”

Close call

Knowles was on duty around 8 p.m. at Midway Fire Station when the call arrived about the car going into the pond, Pifer said.
The air temperature outside was around 38 degrees, and the water temperature was in the 40s, Eggiman said.
The woman was hysterical and was standing on the roof of her sinking car, Pifer said.
Knowles acted quickly, because there was no time to wait for additional equipment to arrive.
“From the time of dispatch to the time they had her safely onshore was eight minutes,” Pifer said. “In that eight minutes there were a lot of decisions to be made. Adam was there and said, ‘Hey, I’m ready to go.’”
Knowles put on a life jacket and grabbed a spare jacket for the woman, Pifer said. He attached a safety line and swam out to the middle of the pond.
The woman didn’t want to leave the car, because her dog was in the vehicle, Pifer said.
Knowles then convinced the woman that she had to leave the car. The two then made it to shore safely.
For his lifesaving skills, Knowles received recognition from Georgetown County Council and the S.C. Firefighters Association. He was also written about in Firehouse Magazine, a national publication.
“Adam is the consummate firefighter and he is always prepared,” said Pifer. “Not everybody is on the ball like that all the time.”
The Meritorious Action Award is one of the highest awards in the state, Eggiman said.
Knowles was recognized by Georgetown County Council and also received a standing ovation from the crowd attending Tuesday’s meeting.
Crippen, who was also honored by County Council and the State Firefighters Association, received her award for saving a gunshot victim in Myrtle Beach.
Crippen was spending time with her parents when she heard the gunshot victim screaming from the parking lot of a nearby apartment complex.
Crippen, who was off-duty, rushed to help the woman and keep her calm until an ambulance arrived.
Crippen earned the a Medal of Valor from Midway Fire Department and the Meritorious Service Award from the S.C. State Firefighters Association.
The recognition took her by surprise, Crippen said.
“Everyone admires firefighters, but I really never thought I would be placed in that category,” she said, after receiving her award. “I'm just speechless and it's a great honor.”
“We’re very proud of her,” Eggiman said. “That’s how Nikki is, that’s truly the type of person she is. It’s truly not surprising. We’re very fortunate to have her working for us.”

By Kelly Marshall Fuller
Kfuller@gtowntimes.com