Verhalen receives Fort fire department Lifesaving Award

By Chris Spangler

The Fort Atkinson Fire Department on Tuesday recognized Capt. Paul Verhalen for his heroism at last August’s massive D.B. Oaks warehouse blaze.

During the Fort Atkinson City Council meeting, Fire Chief Daryl Rausch presented Verhalen with the Fort Atkinson Fire Department’s Lifesaving Award.

“The department responded to a significant fire at the D.B. Oaks property Aug. 10^th. During that event, we had a firefighter (Nick Rueth) who experienced a life-threatening injury,” Rausch said. “He was ultimately assisted by Capt. Paul Verhalen and was nominated by his peers to receive the Lifesaving Award by the department.”

The chief read the citation that accompanied the award and then pinned a medal on Verhalen’s lapel. The citation reads:

“He is hereby awarded the Lifesaving Medal for heroic action on Aug. 10, 2021, when he assisted in the rescue of a fellow firefighter after his partner suffered a life-threatening injury.

“Capt. Verhalen and another firefighter were operating in the interior of a building which had been exposed to a serious fire throughout much of the day. While monitoring fire conditions in the adjacent building, a pane of glass from a facing wall collapsed and pierced the arm of the firefighter.

“Capt. Verhalen immediately controlled an arterial bleed using a piece of personal webbing until the firefighter could be removed from the building, a proper tourniquet applied and transportation to the hospital was arranged.

“Capt. Verhalen’s act saved the firefighter from more serious injuries and, according to doctors, absolutely save the life of his fellow firefighter. His unselfish actions and valiant service reflect great credit on himself and in keeping with the highest tradition of the Fort Atkinson Fire Department, the City of Fort Atkinson and the American fire service.”

Verhalen has been a volunteer/paid-on-call member of the Fort Atkinson Fire Department since 1989, serving as a firefighter, driver/operator, lieutenant and captain. He also is one of the department’s primary training officers.

Verhalen works as a career lieutenant/EMT for the Janesville Fire Department.

This marks the second honor for Verhalen in recent months. In October, he was presented the 2021 First Responder of the Year/First Responders Hometown Heroes Award for the 33^rd Assembly District by state Rep. Cody Horlacher, R-Mukwonago.

Nominees can include police officers, sheriff’s deputies, firefighters or any level of EMS personnel who exemplify community service, selflessness and dedication.

Verhalen was nominated for that state honor by Chief Rausch.

The 140,000-square-foot D.B. Oaks warehouse caught fire just before noon on Aug. 10. It quickly evolved into a five-alarm blaze that eventually was fought by 62 fire apparatus and 215 firefighters from 48 departments from central and southern Wisconsin and northern Illinois.

A strong thunderstorm with high winds caused the window pane to fall onto Rueth’s right arm, severing the brachial artery.

According to Rausch’s nomination for the state honor, “Paul, with great presence of mind, quickly affixed a makeshift tourniquet on the firefighter’s arm to stem the ‘spurting, bright red blood,’ declared an emergency and requested immediate medical assistance. 

“The ambulance crew was on the opposite side of this very large building, so Capt. Verhalen gave continual radio updates while continuing lifesaving measures. 

“Capt. Verhalen ultimately carried the firefighter, on his back, down a flight of stairs, out of the building and through a ditch flooded with waist-deep runoff water to deliver him to the EMS crew, who were then arriving on scene. Paul did all of this in under four minutes,” the state award nomination concluded.