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Interview with John and Joel Rechlitz on the Today Show
By far, this is the video and story of the day. Firegeezer found this one showing two off-duty Milwaukee firefighters making a dramatic rescue on Sunday of a 32-year-old woman and her two children, ages two and four who were trapped in their overturned burning vehicle. The firefighters received help from an off-duty police officer and neighbors.
The four-year-old boy was the last removed and was the most seriously injured with burns over 30-percent of his body. The firefighters are brothers John and Joel Rechlitz. They were also burned.
John Rechlitz received an urgent call from his wife about the fire. Joy Rechlitz and Joel’s wife Kelly were heading to pick up a birthday cake for John and Joy’s 17-year-old daughter. The brothers raced to the fire 3-blocks away. Read the details in this story by Linda Spice of the Journal Sentinel.
They were assisted by off-duty Lieutenant Mark Wroblewski of the Milwaukee Police Department. They all live in the neighborhood where the crash occurred.
The brothers Rechlitz in a Journal Sentinel photo by Tom Lynn. Click here for more.
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Anybody wondering about the hoseline the Firefighters are using? the stream looks like its coming out of a garden hose! I cant tell, maybe a booster line?
Outstanding job fellas. Hope everyone heals quickly.
Amazing story showing the true spirit of our dedicated brothers and sisters in police, fire, and EMS. Congratulations to all of them.
By the way, what small mind would be so concerned about the size of a hose stream in this story? Don't you get it?
Solid work fellas…
Great job guys. Always a firefighter right! Those people in the accident have you to thank for their lives. Let's hope for a speedy recovery for the young guy who was burned.
and….
These guys do this and all you (the first comment maker) can think about is the size of the hoseline later used by the FD?
Just shut up.
All I can say is WOW! Great job guys. Now, I can't wait to see if Mayor Barrett will give these guys any recognition. I'm sure he will do the smile and handshake thing while he continues to try and cut staffing.
It's a 100 foot garden hose that one of the neighbors ran out. The firefighters were off duty and didn't have a truck there. The fire extinguisher was provided by the off duty officer. Not that any of that matters, although kudos to the neighbor who got the hose out there.
Great job guys … Both of you put your lives at risk in the true tradition of the fire service … You have done yourselves and your department proud! I hope that your injuries heal quickly.
Great job by a couple of brave brothers. Did everyone see how quickly the one brother (in the shorts) go in to the car? Without thought or care to personal safety.
Once again great job men! That family is alive today because of your actions.
Sid
GOT BALLS?
YES THEY DO!
With all the negative stories about firemen that fill so many websites, this is refreshing–the real firemen stories. This is what firemen do. These 2 guys are real firemen, not posers.
You have earned the respect of firemen across this nation.
Great job guys and to all that helped out. Outstanding work. This brought tears to my eyes watching this, as it brought back memories of a fatal mva involving one of our own from my fire company. We were coming back from an outting We were there tried our damndest but there was too much damage to the car and heavy fire. again outstanding work
I'm waiting to see one of the non-combatant "Goobers" posting a complaint that these guys didn't have on reflective safety vests or that they didn't set up a command post or some other such nonsense.
GREAT job Brothers … It's refreshing to see a video on this site that shows REAL firefighters taking decisive action and placing themselves in harm's way to save lives.
Great job Brothers!! Congratulations!! Always on duty!!! Always a fireman! Teamwork, camaraderie,brotherhood. The very foundation of the Fire Service! Too bad so many of the New Inovative Fire Chiefs can't see that!
Great job Brothers!! Congratulations!! Always on duty!!! Always a fireman! Teamwork, camaraderie,brotherhood. The very foundation of the Fire Service! Too bad so many of the New Inovative Fire Chiefs can't see that!
GREAT JOB Firemen.!!!!
Risk alot for Life.!!!!
Thank Goodness for the
"citizen hoseline".!!!
Initial care for burns…
Cool it, Cool it, Cool it.!!!!
May the LORD Bless you and the victims with a quick/complete healing…
I tip my hat
They were doing their job, whether on or off duty. Outstanding save gentlemen. Hats off to you two.
True Firefighters!
Never really off the job, always there to help those in need.
TOP JAKE performance John and Joel
Heal fast
I would like to announce the WINNERS of the FIREHOUSE MAGAZINE HEROISM AWARD WINNERS FOR THIS YEAR.
Without the protection of gear, without any firefighting tools (they made their own on scene) without the protection of a hoseline, without an engine, without a backup crew, without a RIT team, without hydraulic tools.
These 2 firefighters SAVED 3 LIVES. REPEAT SAVED 3 LIVES. REAPEAT SAVED 3 LIVES.
i am standing in my family room applauding you guys.
When it somes to personal safety, we teach our guys that little gain warrants little risk, and great gain warrants great risk. The gain was saving the lives of the people in the car, a great gain indeed. You guys saw that and put yourselves at great risk. Good call, and well done!
I wish a speedy recovery to all. You brothers did us proud.
ABSOLUTELY OUTSTANDING This is why I became a firefighter because of people like these 2. They are an inspiration to us all and the selfless act of Service before Self proves that these two are great guys… Kudos to both and I hope they and the other victims have a speedy recovery.
Are you f'ing kidding me these guys saved three people Nd your worried about what kind of handline they're using. Give me a break.
Outstanding work, amazing efforts and I hope they and the boy they saved recover quickly! These brothers are true American heroes! Bobby Halton
All three of these guys make me proud to work in public safety. Great job!
Strong Work Brothers! You two are exactly what makes me so proud to be part of this exclusive family! Know in your hearts and minds that you are both real hero's, the kind that define the word! It is obvious that you do it because of what is in you, not for some award, handshake from a Mayor, or news story! Thanks to all brothers like you! God Speed in your healing!
This entire neighborhood deserves a medal. Instead of standing around watching, they took directions from the off-duty FF's and off duty police officer and ACTED. The initial water source WAS from a garden hose a neighbor had rigged up to reach the street. The off duty officer had 2 fire extinguishers that kept the flames at bay so they could get the 4y/o out. I work at Children's Hospital in Milwaukee and knowing what these citizens did to save this family brings tears to my eyes. Then, seeing these FF's RISK IT ALL to go into a flaming vehicle to get this kiddo out is beyond words. So glad they are ok and pray for their quick healing. We all need to ask ourselves if we would do the same thing. Be prepared. Be proud of what you FF's and Paramedics and Police officers do EVERYDAY out there. It might not always be at this level, but I think if half of the stuff you "LIFE SAVERS" do was recorded for the public to see, there would not be talk of cutting staffing. Awesome job. Hey, thanks to the guy filming this all, too! I think the video should be played at the beginning of every City Council meeting!!!
Risk a little, save a little.
Risk a lot, save a ton.
Amazing.
GREAT JOB BROTHERS! You did the best with what you got and you won!OUTSTANDING.You are what this job is all about.Heal quickly. Capt. Jaco N.J.
Amazing! Strong, strong work fellas. As a FF and a dad with two young girls (8 & 4) that is one of my worst nightmares. I'm still in awe…
Great work guys! May you heal quickly and return to duty soon. To all my Firefighting brothers and sisters: Omnis Cedo Domis.
Great work guys, prayers for a speedy recovery…
My heart and prayers goes out to the little boy and his family. I wonder if there is a way to donate of they need help? ANd the biggest thanks to the off duty fire fighters and the off duty police man and to the town who jumped into quick action and put their someelse life ahead of theirs. You are all brave and wonderful people. No good deed goes undone. Praise god for you all that helped this family.
Inspiring…nice work.
Balls the size of boulders. Great work by the off duty firefighters and the police officer!
As for Mr. Anonymous commenting from his lounge chair about the hose, all I can say is that they're carrying more hose than you'll ever carry.
While grown men stared, ran in circles, held a video camera or shouted profanity, a few men took immediate and appropriate action that saved lives. Let this be YOUR call to action! Become involved with your local Fire &/or EMS agencies! God forbid you find yourself in a similar situation, possibly with your loved ones at risk, and you don't know what to do. Get involved!