Effingham Firefighters Recognized for Role in Crash, Anhydrous Release Incident at Teutopolis

(EFFINGHAM FIRE CHIEF BRANT YOCHUM, FIREFIGHTER JOHNATHAN PAHOLKE, LIEUTENANT JOHN STROUD, AND FIREFIGHTER BEN SIEMER)

Firefighter Medals of Honor were presented to three firefighters from the Effingham Fire Department Tuesday night.

The Medals of Honor were presented at the Effingham City Council meeting to Lieutenant John Stroud and to Firefighters Ben Siemer and Johnathon Paholke for their service in the aftermath of the truck crash and release of anhydrous ammonia on the east edge of Teutopolis on September 29, 2023. Effingham Fire Chief Brant Yochum said the awards were presented in recognition of the firefighters' "incredible courage during a very dangerous situation."

Yochum said the firefighters' safely evacuated an injured woman who was in a car that crashed at the scene. He wrote in the commendation: "to safely evacuate (the woman), they used a Rapid Intevention Team pack that Yochum described as a device equipped with a mask and breathable air, designed for rapid rescue and evacuation in hazardous environments." The firefighters then removed the woman from the area and turned her over to the medical team, which Yochum said was "an action that undoubtedly saved her life."

When the firefighters arrived, they were directed to try and locate an adult and two children. Yochum noted that the firefighters found the two children, who had died, but were able to locate and rescue the adult. He said, "this kind of bravery--moving toward danger to help others and not giving up even when it's tough--it what makes a firefighter. It's what Lt. Stroud, Firefighter Siemer and Firefighter Paholke demonstrated that night." He noted the firefighters were on their third air bottles by the time they completed their assignment.

The National Transportation Safety Board said at the time of the incident that the full report will not be available for a year.