Sergeant Dave Carney and Corporal Danielle Schmidt were awarded the Eustis Police Department’s Lifesaving Medal for their heroic actions during an apartment building fire on September 1, 2010. Mayor Karen LeHeup-Smith, Chief Fred Cobb, Director of Public Safety, and Deputy Chief Anthony Robinson presented the awards.
At approximately 6:20 am, Sergeant Carney and Corporal Schmidt began their work day early to travel to Tallahassee to attend a seminar. While in route, both officers noticed heavy smoke and flames coming from a duplex apartment building in Eustis at the corner of Morin Street and Lakeview Avenue.
Sergeant Carney and Corporal Schmidt immediately notified the Police Department’s Communications Center, who immediately notified the Eustis Fire Department and Lake
Sumter Emergency Medical Services. After requesting assistance and without any hesitation, both entered the burning structure and began to evacuate all occupants. The occupants of each apartment were asleep and unaware of the fire. The apartments were engulfed in smoke. Sergeant Carney and Corporal Schmidt were able to evacuate all occupants of the burning structure.
The occupants, three adults and eight children, were safely evacuated safely with no injuries.
“The selfless, immediate, and appropriate actions of the recognized members of the Eustis Police on the morning of September 1st are a direct reflection of their professionalism and dedication to the Eustis community,” said Chief Fred Cobb. “Like myself, I know the City is proud of what they do.”
