15 April
A staff member from Waitakere Community Probation and Psychological Services has received the Chief Executive’s Special Commendation Award today to acknowledge the role he played in rescuing a person from a house fire.
Corrections Chief Executive Barry Matthews says Probation Officer Jonn King displayed initiative, skill and professionalism during the incident in January.
Mr Matthews said Jonn was driving on Swanson Road in Waitakere when he noticed smoke coming from a residential property, he pulled over and decided to investigate. When Jonn got nearer the house he realised there was a lot of smoke and raced back to his car to get a fire extinguisher.
Armed with the extinguisher Jonn was joined by some neighbours who helped break the door down and find the male occupant in the house and take him outside. Jonn then used first aid to check the man’s condition and also called emergency services.
Mr Matthews said that faced with the same situation many other people would have just driven by or at most called for assistance.
“Jonn didn’t think twice about getting personally involved in a potentially hazardous situation and his quick thinking helped save someone from real harm.
“He was presented with a life threatening situation, and handled the situation calmly and professionally. His actions are a credit to him and also reflect very positively on the Department.”
The Chief Executive’s Special Commendation Awards were developed last year to recognise the times when Corrections staff display exceptional and exemplary behaviour.
Copyright © Department of Corrections | Feedback and queries email: webmaster@corrections.govt.nz