Oakmont Officers Honored For Fire Rescue

Two Oakmont police officers recevied recognition Monday night for their rescue of an elderly man from a fire in January that trapped him in his Fifth Street home and ultimately destroyed the residence.

State Rep. Frank Dermody attended Monday’s meeting to present officers Shawn McNaughton and James Rogerson with a citation and plaque honoring their response.

“If they didn’t get him out of the house, he’d have been dead,” Police Chief David DiSanti said.

DiSanti said both he and the paramedics who responded to the fire credit the officers’ quick response time with saving the man’s life.

“From the time of the 911 call to the dispatch, they were there in one
minute,” he said.

When McNaughton and Rogerson arrived at the scene of the blaze, they found the house engulfed in flames. They heard faint cries for help and found the man buried under debris.

“There is no doubt they were able to save this man’s life with their quick actions,” DiSanti said in an address to the officers as he and Dermody presented the officers with plaques.

The police chief also read a letter from the victim's sister, expressing her gratitude for the officers' efforts.

DiSanti said the resident trapped in the blaze is doing well and has been upgraded recently from critical to stable condition.