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Michael J Kuss Awarded
Michael J Kuss, a firefighter with the Springfield Fire Department is being awarded both local and international awards for his role in saving a family of five. Governor Jay Nixon will be awarding Kuss with the Missouri Medal of Honor and the International Association of Water Rescue Professionals will be awarding him with The Higgins and Langley Memorial Awards at their conference.
The Higgins and Langley Memorial Awards in Swiftwater honor outstanding achievement in the technical rescue discipline of swift water and flood rescue.
Heavy rains caused the James River in Southwest Missouri to rise over 12 feet. When the family tried to cross Steelman bridge, which ran over the James River, the bridge was covered in over a foot of water and they were swept away by the strong currents and forced to abandon their vehicle.
The family had been in the water holding onto trees on the riverbank for a half hour when the rescuers arrived. They were calling out for help and said that they would not be able to hold on much longer.
According to Rescue Specialist Marc Becker, “Time was running out for the family so an immediate rescue was required,”.
Since there wasn’t enough room in the boat for the entire family, firefighter Michael Kuss stayed with the parents while Becker took the kids to shore then returned for Kuss and the parents.
When the rescuers arrived the parents said they wouldn’t last much longer. Kuss’s instruction and assurance proved vital in helping the parents keep calm and hang on while waiting to be picked up by the rescue boat.
For his help in rescuing 10 people in 2015 Kuss is also being recognized as an “Everyday Hero” by the Red Cross.