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Dispatcher helps some escape weekend fire

by TERRI GRUCA/KVUE News

kvue.com

Posted on August 30, 2010 at 8:26 PM

Updated Monday, Aug 30 at 10:18 PM

Fire investigators are still trying to figure out what started a massive apartment fire at the Bainbridge Apartments Sunday. The fire left more than 40 people displaced and caused a million dollars in damage.

Investigators are still talking to piece together what happened. Witnesses say the fire started in the breezeway, which prevented many people from escaping through their front doors.

Monday night the dispatcher who took the panicked 911 calls from that fire shared his story.

Merri Bruce lives at the apartment complex near Ben White Boulevard.

"We're lucky no one lost their lives," she said.

Some say it was more than luck. It was thanks to the help of dispatcher John Kollman.

"We just try to get them to remain calm so we can get them the information that they need to get help as fast as we can," said Kollman.

His calm commanding demeanor helped get the information he needed so firefighters could get to the scene fast. It can be a tough task when you’ve got people panicking on the other end of the phone.

Kollman said the best thing for people to keep in mind is to speak clearly and try to give the information asked.

“Many times we’ll ask for information several times to make sure we’ve got it correct,” he said.

Kollman helped guide some residents to the safest way out. It’s the kind of call for help he's answered numerous times in his 8 years as a dispatcher and as a former firefighter.

"The other night I know several people were able to get out of the apartment complex and we always feel good about that," he said.

Residents clearly agree.

"We've got what's really important. I'm glad everyone got out safe," said resident Jamie Amber.

 

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