HR 1538: City of Cochran Fire Department; commend

House Resolution 1538

By: Representatives Mathis of the 133rd, McDonald III of the 26th, Chastain of the 7th, McCollum of the 30th, Gullett of the 19th, and others

A RESOLUTION

Commending the City of Cochran Fire Department; and for other purposes.

WHEREAS, on December 25, 2025, the City of Cochran Fire Department was dispatched to a structure fire on 145 North Sixth Street, where a female occupant was reported to be trapped within a rapidly burning residence; and

WHEREAS, responding units arrived to find a single-story wood-frame building with heavy, concentrated flames and dense black smoke venting from every door and window, at which time multiple individuals directed the firefighters to the bedroom where the trapped female was located; and

WHEREAS, Chief Brock Wilcher immediately allocated all available resources to search and rescue operations, and the firefighters entered the residence through an exterior bedroom window under conditions of extreme heat and zero visibility; and

WHEREAS, upon finding the female subject unconscious and unresponsive, the firefighters quickly removed her from the structure and initiated cardiopulmonary resuscitation before transferring patient care to Heartland EMS; and

WHEREAS, the individual was transported soon thereafter to a burn center in Augusta, Georgia, to recover from her injuries, and she is expected to return to Cochran and her family later this month; and

WHEREAS, the coordinated actions of Chief Brock Wilcher, Sergeant Colton Kleinfeld, Firefighter Timothy McElroy, Firefighter Quang Nguyen, Firefighter Bruce Nguyen, Firefighter Nicholas Mleczko, and Firefighter Michael Angus exemplified decisive leadership, operational discipline, and a clear prioritization of human life under dangerous and rapidly evolving conditions; and

WHEREAS, it is abundantly fitting and proper that the courage, professionalism, and lifesaving actions demonstrated by the City of Cochran Fire Department be appropriately honored by this body.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES that the members of this body commend the City of Cochran Fire Department for its bravery, decisive action, and exceptional service during this life-threatening incident and express sincere appreciation for its exemplary dedication to the safety and well-being of the citizens of this state.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Clerk of the House of Representatives is authorized and directed to make an appropriate copy of this resolution available for distribution to the City of Cochran Fire Department.