ROSCOE -- Harlem-Roscoe Fire Chief Oscar Presley doesn't like it when firefighters from the same family ride on the same emergency vehicles, let alone respond to the same calls.
As far as James Garton is concerned, it's a good thing that's not a hard-and-fast rule.
Garton, 44, of Gray Eagle Road was trapped inside his burning car in the morning hours of June 15, 2003, when volunteer firefighters Capt. Mike Drost, his daughter, Amber Drost, and son-in-law, Jim Daughenbaugh, arrived on the scene.
Without the aid of a hose and without knowing whether the gas tank would explode, the trio entered the garage immediately upon learning there was someone inside the car. They quickly dragged Gorton out of the car and brought him to waiting paramedics. The dramatic rescue was captured on video and in photographs by the department's photographer and Mike Drost's wife, Sheryl.
For their heroics, Mike and Amber Drost and Daughenbaugh received certificates of recognition last week at the Illinois State Medal of Honor ceremony in Springfield.
Nearly a year later, and with no one seriously injured in the blaze, Presley could joke about the all-in-the-family rescue.
"It really was a family affair," he said. "I'm not so sure if they didn't start the fire."
To further add to the family-rescue theme, it was Daughenbaugh's parents and Garton's neighbors, Richard and Carolyn Daughenbaugh, who called 911 and reported the fire.
Garton could not be reached for comment. The cause of the fire has not been determined.
"As a photographer, I was so thrilled to be able to videotape the rescue," Sheryl Drost said. "But realizing it was my family doing the rescue, my heart was racing."
Amber Drost told her parents she didn't feel like a hero. She said she was just doing her job.
