February 10: TRIBUTE TO LAKE ERIE RESCUERS
The call for help came in to the Coast Guard atapproximately 10:45 a.m. By early afternoon, everyone was rescued. Oneman, sadly, who had fallen into the water, later suffered a fatal heartattack, and our sympathy goes out to his family.
Saturday's heroic rescue is a testament to the cooperationof various units: The Coast Guard stations in Toledo and Marblehead,Ohio; Detroit, Traverse City, Belle Isle, and St. Clair Shores,Michigan; and even Elizabeth City, North Carolina.
The Coast Guard cutter Mackinaw; the Ottawa, Ohio Sheriff'sDepartment; the Ohio State Highway Patrol; Monroe County, MichiganSheriff's Department; Jervis, Carol, and Washington townships; ToledoLife Flight; the Canadian Coast Guard; and, yes, countless localcitizens.
I wanted to take this opportunity to call attention totheir heroism and outstanding deeds. Hundreds of families, thousands ofpeople, are grateful to them for their actions that prevented a realcatastrophe.
My constituents rely on the tireless efforts of the CoastGuard and law enforcement to protect America's fourth sea coast alongour Great Lakes. The partnership between all levels of law enforcementand seamless communication between these agencies are critical for myconstituents who know that, in difficult times like this, there's ateam of agencies that they can rely upon.
Each year, hundreds of thousands of Americans and Canadiansventure into Lake Erie to participate in the region's rich sportsfishing industry. Estimates show each year, the sports fishing industryon Lake Erie alone contributes up to $700 million toward our localeconomy. This backbone to the local economy would not exist without thecapable support of first responders.
I would like to commend in particular Ottawa County SheriffRobert Bratton, Lucas County Sheriff James Telb, the Coast Guard, andother local law enforcement officials, for their vigilance inprotecting our fishermen from this danger.
In addition, I would like to commend local officials onefforts to develop a system in quantifying the dangers related to icefloes and educate fishermen on the dangers of ice fishing.
As our country faces the challenges of updating lawenforcement to confront the challenges of the 21st century, we shouldlook inward at the expertise of these local officials. For generations,it has been the Coast Guard and local law enforcement that hasprotected sailors, fishermen, and boaters from our region from thesedangers.
I will submit for the Record the activities of anumber of Coast Guard employees for their work in coordinating rescueoperations. Their expertise and heroism must be properly commended.
And it is a tribute at the highest order to read into the Recordthe names of those who participated in this rescue effort: PettyOfficer Jason Rice, Sector Detroit; Petty Officer Chad Pietszak,Station Marblehead, coxswain; Petty Officer Jason Venema, StationMarblehead, crewman; Petty Officer Aaron Pitney, Station Toledo, rescueswimmer; Coleman Selm, Air Station Detroit; and Public Affairs ChiefRobert Lanier.
It is a tribute of the highest order to recognize theseexceptional serv ice mem bers whose devotion to duty exemplifiesAmerica's real homeland security.
Thank you.
1. OS1 Jason Rice, Sector Detroit, Command Center: As thelead Operational Controller, Petty Officer Rice initiated a SafetyBroadcast prior to the event to warn fishermen. He receivednotification of the event, dispatched initial resources, and providedaccurate and quick notifications up the chain of command includingdetailed log entries throughout the event. His recommendations, calmdemeanor and professional knowledge ensured the CG dispatched thecorrect resources and relayed critical information to other firstresponder agencies. Petty Officer Rice ensured the CG helo wasimmediately tasked to assist with Person In Water (PIW) &coordinated information flow on medical evacuation to the FirelandHospital.
2. BM2 Chad Pietszak, Station Marblehead: coxswain onairboat that provided organization, communication and safetransportation during ferry operations. Petty Officer Pietszak'sskilled operation of the airboat ensured 94 fishermen were safelytransferred from the ice floe to the staging area with no injuriesduring the evolution.
3. BM2 Jason Venema, Station Marblehead: crewman on airboatthat provided organization, communication and safe transportationduring ferry operations. Petty Officer Venema ensured 94 passengerswere safely embarked, comfortable and delivered from the ice floe tothe staging area.
4. BM1 Aaron Pitney, Station Toledo: Station ExecutivePetty Officer and ice rescue team leader from STA Toledo. Petty OfficerPitney dispatched to scene and liaison with other first responders andlaw enforcement agencies. He assisted with dragging fire department's21 feet boat hundreds of yards offshore, assisted with directing andreceiving fishermen being ferried off the ice. Assisted MSU Toledo withtracking down details of sunken four-wheeler and air boat.
5. AST3 Coleman Selm, Air Station Detroit: rescue swimmeronboard Coast Guard helicopter CG6553 that participated in the medicalevacuation. He performed a direct deployment double lift recovery ofthe PIW, and then performed CPR with the flight mechanic assistinguntil PIW was delivered to awaiting medical personnel at FirelandsHospital helipad. He also participated in the extensive aerial searcheffort, locating several stranded fishermen.
6. PAC Robert Lanier, D9 Public Affairs Chief. Withinminutes of the initial report, Chief Lanier recognized the gravity ofthe situation and mobilized the entire external affairs division. Hesent a team to the Incident Cmd Post at the scene, and personallysupervised a team at the D9 office. His group aggressively releasedinfo and imagery to the media in a timely manner, and conductednumerous national media interviews, garnering extensive coverage.
It is a tribute of the highest order to recognize theseexceptional service members whose devotion to duty exemplifiesAmerica's real homeland security.