BERLIN — Just in time for National Fire Prevention Month, the Worcester County Commissioners recognized members of fire companies from Berlin, Ocean City, Ocean Pines, Showell and Newark as well as the Berlin Police Department (BPD) for their roles in combating a house fire that devastated a home in Berlin last April.
On Thursday, April 17, emergency personnel responded to a house fire on Branch Street. The blaze resulted in injuries to both residents and firefighters and necessitated the rescue of a young girl by the BPD and the girl’s mother by a combined response from area fire companies.
“It’s great to see all of the communities come together and work for one common cause,” said Commissioner Jim Purnell Tuesday after presenting nearly two dozen commendations. “My hat goes off to you. You’ve done a great job and I know this family feels the same way.”
Having five different companies come together with such a high level of coordination was something that all involved should be proud of, said Purnell.
Tocarra Derrickson, the adult who was rescued and mother of the young girl pulled out earlier by the BPD, gave an emotional thank you to all of the collective firefighters from her hometown of Berlin and the surrounding companies that responded once they were needed.
“I appreciate you guys getting me and my daughter out of the house. I’m just so grateful for all of the things that you guys do,” said Derrickson.
While it has been several months since the incident, Derrickson only recently completed her recovery. After being rescued, she was transported first to Atlantic General Hospital and then to Johns Hopkins in Baltimore. She finished her treatment at the Bayview Burn Center and was in critical condition for several weeks before stabilizing.
With Derrickson healed and October being National Fire Prevention Week, the commissioners decided that it was the perfect time to officially commend the efforts of the emergency responders involved in the rescue and in containing the fire before it could spread.
“Each and every one of you are heroes. You put your lives on the line to save another. It just fills my heart with pride to stand here with my brother firemen, my sister firemen,” said Commissioner Merrell Lockfaw, a member of the Firefighters Historical Foundation of Delmarva Hall of Fame.
This was a perfect example of what years of training can accomplish, added Commission President Bud Church.