PEGRAM FIRE DEPARTMENT

It seems that in Pegram we have local heros everywhere in our community that are just regular citizens not even involved with emergency services.  They always appear out of nowhere like a gaurdian angel.  Whether it is thier neighbor or some stranger they don't even know, they display pure bravery and show no regard for their own safety while saving a fellow human being.   So as to show our gratitude to these fine people, we want to thank them for their valiante efforts and dedicate this page to them, our "Local Heros."  

On October 6, 2007, the Pegram Fire Department was dispatched at 04:22 hrs to a motor vehicle accident on Highway 70 in Downtown Pegram.  When the call was dispatched, the information stated was it involved a single-vehicle that was now on fire and unsure if the occupants were out of the vehicle.  Upon the arrival of the first emergency unit, there were two occupants and they were both out of the burning vehicle.  Patient care was immediately started and the vehicle was extinguished.  Both patients were transported to the hospital, one by ambulance and the other by Life Flight Helicopter.  After the fire was out and the patients had been transported, it was then learned of an act of true heroism and pure bravery in the rescue of two fellow human beings.  It seems that Mr. Tony Underhill was going eastbound on Highway 70 to take some friends to the Nashville International Airport so they could catch their flight out for vacation.  Among the persons riding with Mr. Underhill was Mr. Todd Johnstone.  As they approached what was unknown to them as an accident scene, they noticed something was on fire.  As they got beside the burning vehicle, Mr. Underhill noticed that it was a vehicle on fire and was upside down.  Also noticed was a hand and arm moving from inside the burning vehicle.  Mr. Underhill immediately stopped his vehicle and he and Mr. Johnstone showed no regard for their own safety as they approached the vehicle as the others called 911.  They got the occupant out of the front seat of the vehicle and away from the wreckage.  They got the victim coherent enough to learn that there was a child in the rear seat of the vehicle.  The gentlemen then turned the vehicle upright and broke out the rear window.  They were able to reach the child and save it from the burning vehicle.  Mr. Underhill stated that the car was initially just on fire in the engine compartment and dash board area.  He stated that it was approximately only 30 seconds after the child had been rescued that the vehicle was then fully involved in flames.  I believe it is safe to say, that the two occupants in the burning, wrecked vehicle had two guardian angels watching over them this early Saturday morning.  If not for the brave and heroic actions these two gentlemen displayed, the victims in the motor vehicle accident would probably have been fatalities.  These two gentlemen were honored and awarded at the Pegram City Council Meeting on 11/23/07 by the Town of Pegram and Fire Department and by the Tennessee House of Representatives and Senate for their bravery and heroic efforts in saving two fellow human beings lives.

(Pictured L to R: State Representative Phillip Johnson, Fire Chief Brent Stuart, Todd Johnstone, & Tony Underhill) 

On March 20, 2008, the Pegram Fire Department was dispatched at 10:10 hrs to a residential structure fire at 567 Thompson Road, heavy smoke and flames showing.  Kingston Springs FD was also paged out automatic aid.  Other FD's responding mutual aid were Two Rivers and Ashland City FD's.  All occupants were out of the structure. Crews battled the fire for several hours.  Finally crews gained control of the fire and started overhual proceedures.  When command started getting information from the neighbors, that's when it was discovered a rescue had occurred before fire crews had arrived on scene.  It appears that when the fire broke out, a juvenile male, Dalton Rader, was inside the structure sleeping.  Dalton's grandmother lived next door.  After the grandmother had been made aware of the fire from a passerby, she started screaming for anyone that could hear her to help get her grandson out of the structure.  A gentleman across the street, Mike Dabrowiak, just happened to be at his father-in-law's house working in his garage.  Mike heard all the commotion and went outside to see what was going on.  After seeing that the structure across the street was on fire, he ran over to be of assistance to the grandmother, not knowing at this point that Dalton was still inside.  She then advised Mike of Dalton still being inside and unaccounted for.  Without any fear or due regard for his own safety, Mike knocked down the front door (which he said took about 4 kicks) and rescued Dalton from the burning structure with no injuries to either of them.  Mike, our hats are off to you for your bravery and courage that you displayed in saving this young man's life and being at the right place at the right time!  There is no doubt that a few more minutes in the structure and Dalton may not be with us today.  Mike was honored and awarded at the Pegram City Council Meeting on 4/24/08 by the Town of Pegram and Fire Department and by the Tennessee House of Representatives and Senate for his bravery and heroic efforts in saving a fellow human being's life.

(Pictured L to R: State Rep. Phillip Johnson, Chief Brent Stuart, Mike Dabrowiak, and Mayor Charles Morehead)