Firefighters recognized for rescue

Written by Anthony Bicy

Belden Communications News

Two Daytona Beach firefighters won awards for their heroic rescue in September at Municipal Stadium in Daytona Beach. Driver Engine (DE) Scott Hughes and DE Jacob Otto were providing coverage at the stadium when a vehicle went wild and landed in a retention pond with someone trapped inside.

Otto dove into the murky water to help without dive or water rescue equipment. After swimming down, he used a pocketknife to shatter the rear windshield and pulled the person out. Otto received an injury to his left arm, but Hughes was there to assist him in bringing the victim to shore.

For their heroic efforts, Driver Engineer Hughes received a Distinguished Service Award. Otto won the Medal of Valor, both awards coming from the Fire Department.