Members Heroic Action Saves a Life

"Hes the hero. He doesnt know it yet, but he is," said Assistant Fire Chief Gary Thornhill of Bunker Hill, Illinois. That hero is Daniel V. Tabb, a brave IBEW member who hails from Local 51 in Springfield, Illinois. Brother Tabb was presented with an IBEW Life Saving Award on May 14 for his speedy action to rescue an injured woman trapped by a blazing house fire.

Local 51 Brother Daniel V. Tabb displays his IBEW Life Saving Award.

The Bunker Hill Fire Department credited Tabb for saving the life of Alice Smalley, a resident of the small town in southern Illinois. Smalley was suffering from extreme smoke inhalation and her hair was on fire when Brother Tabb dashed in to pull her out of danger.

Tabb said he found Smalley standing between the house and the garage, where the smoke was steadily intensifying. At that point the blaze was so hot he "could hear glass popping in the house," Tabb said. Brother Tabb is a repair technician for Citizens Communications, which has an office about half a block from Smalleys house. He was driving through the area when he saw smoke rolling from the residence.

Fire Chief Thornhill said, "If it wouldnt have been for that guy, she probably would have passed away." Eighteen firefighters from the Bunker Hill department, the Betsey Ann Fire Protection District and the Shipman Fire Department battled the fire, Thornhill said.

"IBEW Local 51 members are proud to call him brother," Local 51 Business Manager Dominic F. Rivara said of Tabb.

IBEWCURRENTS

September 2003 IBEW Journal