Crime & Safety
Gulfport Firefighter Honored For Saving Toddler
City leaders presented Gulfport Firefighter and EMT Christopher Mathis with a prestigious award after he helped save a toddler from a drowning.
Gulfport Firefighter and EMT Christopher Mathis received a standing ovation during the Gulfport Fire Department's Medal of Valor ceremony.
Matthis received the award from Fire Chief James Marenkovic and Mayor Sam Henderson during Tuesday night's City Council meeting.
Mathis was selected for the award after he helped a neighbor administer CPR to a 2-year-old boy who was pulled from the bottom of a pool.
On June 12, Mathis was in his front yard of his Pinellas Park home when a neighbor called for help. He responded to a nearby home and found the toddler in full cardiac arrest from a drowning in the family's pool. Another neighbor, Laura Karlhofer, was already there giving the boy Life Saving Cardiopulmonary Resucitation (CPR). Mathis helped Karlhofer until emergency personnel arrived.
They later learned the little boy survived the drowning with no neurological deficit and was home doing well the very next day.
According to Fire Chief James Marenkovic's memo, the award is given to service personnel for performing above and beyond the call of duty, that have been instrumental in rescuing and saving another's life.
Hear more from Chris Mathis in our article, "Gulfport Firefighter, Neighbor Save Toddler Pulled from Pool."
For more information:
CPR Certification
Matthis received the award from Fire Chief James Marenkovic and Mayor Sam Henderson during Tuesday night's City Council meeting.
Mathis was selected for the award after he helped a neighbor administer CPR to a 2-year-old boy who was pulled from the bottom of a pool.
On June 12, Mathis was in his front yard of his Pinellas Park home when a neighbor called for help. He responded to a nearby home and found the toddler in full cardiac arrest from a drowning in the family's pool. Another neighbor, Laura Karlhofer, was already there giving the boy Life Saving Cardiopulmonary Resucitation (CPR). Mathis helped Karlhofer until emergency personnel arrived.
They later learned the little boy survived the drowning with no neurological deficit and was home doing well the very next day.
According to Fire Chief James Marenkovic's memo, the award is given to service personnel for performing above and beyond the call of duty, that have been instrumental in rescuing and saving another's life.
Hear more from Chris Mathis in our article, "Gulfport Firefighter, Neighbor Save Toddler Pulled from Pool."
For more information:
CPR Certification
Most local fire departments will offer CPR certification.
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Gulfport Fire Chief James Marenkovic says parents need layers of protection. Those include fences, child-proof door knobs, alarms, etc.
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