| Name: | Dan Wagner |
| Gender: | Male |
| Agency: | Elgin Fire Department |
| Type of Firefighter: | Career |
| Rank: | Battalion Chief |
| Type of Duty: | Water rescue operations |
| Type of Award: | Medal of Valor |
| Year of Award: | 2023 |
| Incident City: | Elgin |
| Year of Incident: | 2022 |
| Incident Location Type: | Water/Waterfront |
| Incident Attribute: |
Battalion Chief Dan Wagner of the Elgin Fire Department was awarded the Medal of Valor for his water rescue operation.
On June 17, 2022, the Elgin Fire Department was dispatched to a report of someone floating in the Fox River. The woman was in the middle of the river, putting her 150 feet away from either shoreline. Battalion One was the first to arrive at the scene and they attempted a swift water rescue using throw ropes. However, after the throw ropes failed, Chief Wagner decided that he was the closest to the victim and therefore her best chance of survival. Chief Wagner transferred command before entering the water for a Go Rescue. Using his 18 years of experience on the water rescue and recovery team, Chief Wagner was able to successfully reach the now-lethargic victim and bring her safely to shore.
Citations:
2023 IL Fallen Firefighter Memorial And MOH Ceremony.
Vimeo, uploaded by Crowdson Creative Video, 11 May 2023, vimeo.com/825948365/5148b7d371.