At 1:13 a.m. on March 12, 2015 the phones of the Jefferson County Emergency Communications Center began to illuminate with reports of a house on fire in the area of Burn Street, Ranson. As the sound waves of fire company alert began to break the midnight silence, volunteers rolled from their beds and readied themselves for a firefight. Fire and EMS units from multiple local volunteer fire stations in Jefferson County responded to the blaze. Among those units was fire apparatus and EMS apparatus from the Shepherdstown Fire Department.

In harmony with other departments on the scene, Shepherdstown crews began to extinguish the fire. In doing so, Firefighter/EMT Michael Nick, of Shepherdstown, came across an unresponsive dog in the blaze. FF Nick removed a lifeless mixed Dachshund, Chloe, from the structure, and began to assist her respiration with supplemental oxygen and performed CPR on the lifeless animal. Lieutenant Ty Bowers, and FF Ryan Rudy came along side FF Nick to assist, and the animal was revived.

According to a Facebook Post by the Jefferson County Animal Control, at the point Animal Control officers arrived, “All three men were totally committed to the continued care of Chloe and insisted that they transport her [in the company’s utility vehicle] keeping her on oxygen to Blue Ridge Veterinarian Associates in Purcellville,Virginia.

The Animal controls post continues to state that, “Chloe was immediately taken in to triage and sent for X-rays to determine the condition of her lungs. The veterinarian was very pleased with her overall condition but she will be held for 24-48 hours under constant veterinarian care. Not for the quick response of the Fire Fighters, Chloe may not have been found and survived this heart wrenching ordeal and these men are heroes in our book. Unfortunately, 2 other dogs did not survive the fire and the house was destroyed. The owner was in the house at the time of the fire and was being treated on the scene.”

After the heroic rescue, Firefighter Michael Nick stated in response to the animal control Facebook post, “Chloe is a wonderful dog and is one heck of a fighter. I must say it was my first attempt at CPR on a dog, I am very glad that it was effective. I’m so sorry for the loss of the other two dogs and the home.” Chloe is still being treated at the Blue Ridge Vet Associates office, and will remain in their care for 24-48 hours.

Despite the phenomenal work of the local Volunteer firefighters in Jefferson County, Chloe’s owner has lost everything and is so thankful that she survived. Anyone wishing to donate to Chloe’s veterinarian care should call Supervisor Lambiotte at 304-728-3289 X2081.

More details of the incident can be found on the facebook pages: www.facebook.com/pages/Jefferson-County-Animal-Controlwww.facebook.com/epwfires.