Borough Council, Firefighters Honor Hometown Hero
Kittanning Resident Scott Hogamier was presented a valor award from the Western Pennsylvania Fireman’s Association last night in Kittanning Borough Council Chambers by Association First Vice-President (and Kittanning Hose Company #6 Member) Jim Bowser and Borough Fire Marshal Earl “Buzz” Kline.
by Jonathan Weaver
A Kittanning man who saved his elderly neighbor from a house fire earlier this Spring was recognized for his heroic efforts last night.
Scott Hogamier, of Hawthorne Avenue, received the Western Pennsylvania Fireman’s Association Nova Insurance Valor Award last night at the beginning of Kittanning Borough Council’s regular meeting.
Kittanning Fire Marshal and Hose Company #4 Fire Chief Earl “Buzz” Kline said Hogamier saved 71-year-old Patricia Leslie from her home at 631 Hawthorne Ave. at about 2PM Monday, March 16.
He also nominated the father of two for the award.
“It could have been a very, very serious situation or a tragic situation,” Chief Kline said. “I felt that that’s something that shouldn’t go unnoticed. It’s something for his kids to be proud of, too.”
Association First Vice-President Jim Bowser presented the award to Hogamier due to his quick response, courage and bravery that afternoon.
Bowser - a member of Kittanning Hose Company #6 for nearly 50 years – said Hogamier is the first to receive the valor award this year.
“When one of our local people gets nominated for an award, and gets to be the recipient, it makes me proud. And I’m sure it has to make all of Kittanning proud that we have people living in our community willing to do something like this,” Bowser said.
After the presentation, Hogamier called it a “surreal” feeling to get the award.
“It’s something that doesn’t happen every day, that’s for sure,” Hogamier said.
He recapped that fateful day.
“The fire started in mid-afternoon – I was actually at home packing for a trip I was leaving for the next day for work, and went outside to let the dog out and saw billowing black smoke from the front-side of her property,” Hogamier said. “I ran around and the front porch of her house was fully engulfed, so I went to the back door, got through the screen door, broke through the wooden door on the back and it was barricaded.
“But, I worked my way through that, met her in the hallway, get her walker out of the way, put her one arm over my shoulder and just started doing the best I could to get her out,” Hogamier continued. “Right place, right time. I think God made sure He put me there and put me to use.”
Though he was treated on scene for shortness of breath (which required a few inhalers) and received follow-up chest X-rays, did not sustain any injuries from his heroic efforts.
It was the first rescue effort for the three-year Northeast Account Manager at Eurofins Eaton Analytical - a national drinking water laboratory which has a service center in Pittsburgh. Hogamier still left for New Jersey the next morning.
Hogamier was accompanied to the award presentation with his family: wife, Suzanne, and daughters, Leah and Lilah.
Hogamier was supposed to receive the award at the Western Pennsylvania Firemen’s Association 122nd Annual Convention August 7 – 12 in Fairchance (Fayette County) but was on vacation with his wife, Suzanne, and two daughters - seven-year-old Leah and five-year-old Lilah.
Neither was home during the fire.
Hogamier hopes regular volunteer first-responders receive recognition in the future for their courage.
“I did this one day and I got an award. Hopefully it’s the last time (but) there are people that do this every day – firefighters, EMT’s, the police – that don’t get the recognition they deserve,” Hogamier said.
Councilwoman Kim Fox was on her deck watching the extraordinary effort play out.
“It was amazing,” Fox said. “It was incredible what he did. He totally saved her life.”
Leslie died Wednesday, June 10 in Kittanning Care Center from injuries not sustained in the fire.
Local News | jweaver September 9, 2015
By Just sayin, September 9, 2015 @ 8:43 PM
God bless you!