WKOW 27: Madison, WI Breaking News, Weather and SportsFirst responders honored for heroics following scout ranch tornado
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ONAWA, Iowa (KTIV) - It's been nearly 6 months since a tornado ripped through the Little Sioux Scout Ranch near Blencoe, Iowa killing four and injuring 40. Thursday, those who put themselves in harms way to help save others were honored.
The Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation awarded all first responders the Director's Medallion Award.
The DCI and Iowa State Patrol recognized Monona County Sheriff, Jeff Pratt for his leadership that fateful night.
Officials with the DCI say it took courage for all of the responders, many who are volunteer.
These people disregarded their own safety and welfare, responded to the scene and finally were able to get back to the location where the incident happened and provided safety, security and they also went ahead and treated injuries to those who weren't as fortunate, "said John Quinn the Director of the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation
But those first responders say they were just doing their job.
"We just do what we're trained to do. It's just community service, that's the way I look at it," said Ed Osius the Blencoe Fire Chief
On a stormy evening on June 11th, emergency responders were put to the ultimate test.
"It's what we volunteer for and we just do what we do," Jerry Billis the Onawa Fire Chief
But what they did didn't really sink in until it was all over.
"We just started thinking about what the situation was and it was troubling," said Osius
600 miles away, Sheriff Jeff Pratt was glued to his cell phone with emergency responders as he raced home to help.
"When the call came out there was a 100 kids. Anytime it's kids, you're going to have as many as you need. Luckily it wasn't the worst case scenario," said Pratt.
The Blencoe Volunteer Fire Department arrived first.
"We were there rather quickly, about 5 or 6 minutes," said Osius.
When they first arrive at the ranch, the department will usually check in at the Scout Master's house.
"We turned in and the house was gone," said Osius.
After tending to the scout master and his family, more emergency responders came. Officials estimate 45 agencies from 18 different counties came to their aid.
"When I heard all the things they did and all the things that had gone on and so many people came to help in our time of need," said Pratt.
But among all these small town heroes, they say they aren't that at all.
"The scouts are, we just do what we do," said Billis.
"We're just part of small rural America, that's why we're here," Duane Renz, Moorhead Fire Chief.
"I believe the scouts did what they were trained to do," said Osius.
Most first responders say this was one of the hardest scenes they've come on simply because among the 40 injured nearly all of them were children.
