July Firefighter of the Month

Aug 26th, 2009

On July 4, 2009 Captain Mack Weaver, 42, of the Training Academy and a veteran of 9 years with the department, was vacationing with his family at Miramar Beach, Florida. Within minutes of arriving on the beach he spotted two young boys struggling in a rip current in the waters of the Gulf of Mexico. Despite the Red Flags all over the beach the two young boys went out swimming anyway. It was learned later that this was the first time they had ever been to a beach and were not familiar with the signals. Weaver noticed they were beginning to drift apart from each other. Weaver, although not dressed for swimming and without regard to his own safety, immediately swam out to rescue the first boy who was approximately 10 years of age. The boy was not a very good swimmer and was in a panic, thrashing and splashing around with his arms. Weaver told the boy to grab him around his neck and he would take him back to shore, which he did. Once they reached the shore Weaver handed the boy off to his wife who was standing by to assist.

Meanwhile two teenagers with wake boards attempted to rescue the larger of the two boys who was further out in the water and estimated to be approximately 12 years of age. The older boy however was too tired to hold onto the boards for them to bring him in. Weaver once again went out in the gulf waters to retrieve the other struggling boy. Weaver instructed him to face him and kick his feet but the boy was too tired to even do that and Weaver had to bring him in by his own power. Despite injuring his back, Weaver managed to return both boys safely to shore.

Had it not been the quick action of Captain Mack Weaver these events could have had a tragic ending but instead these boys are alive today. Weaver credits his training for the USAR Team in swift water rescue in helping him to rescue the young boys. The Pleasant Valley Opportunity Club sponsors the Firefighter of the Month program.