Schommer honored for service

Fredonia Assistant Fire Chief John Schommer received a special honor for his assistance in rescuing a Fredonia Public Works employee from a trench collapse in August.

State Assembly Rep. Robert Brooks awarded Schommer a Hometown Hero Award and thanked him for his efforts during a Dec. 2 Village Board meeting.

Schommer was with a Fredonia Fire Department crew that responded to a trench collapse at Marie Kraus Park in August which left Public Works employee Brandon Heinen buried up to his chest in dirt and mud.

 Heinen was probing for water and sewer lines in a six-foot deep trench when a wall of the trench collapsed and buried him. Crew members on the scene worked to clear dirt from Heinen’s chest but had to wait for a professional extraction team before freeing Heinen completely.

After nearly two hours and assistance from multiple rescue teams, Heinen was freed from the trench and transported to Froedtert Hospital in Wauwatosa via Flight for Life helicopter.

Schommer was one firefighter on the scene who refused to leave Heinen in his time of need and worked tirelessly to free him.

Heinen was discharged from the hospital after two days and has since been recovering from acute fractures in his hip joints and hopes to resume his position with the Public Works Department after making a full recovery.

While awarding a plaque to Schommer, whose family was in attendance, Brooks recognized his willingness to step up in an emergency situation.

 “I know this is your job and that you don’t do it for the thanks but for going above and beyond we wanted to reach out and say thank you,” Brooks said. “We can’t appreciate it enough.”

The sentiment was echoed by Public Works Director Roger Strohm, who was on the scene during the trench collapse and also assisted in the rescue.

 “We’re very appreciative the fire department and the rescue team showed up,” he said.

Appreciative but modest, Schommer said all the emergency response providers did their jobs the day of the rescue.

Schommer received a round of applause from attendees and trustees at the meeting after being presented the award.

The Hometown Heroes Program was started by the Wisconsin State Assembly as a way to honor those who have gone above and beyond to serve and improve their communities.

 More can be read about the program at legis.wisconsin.gov/assembly/republicans/hometown-heroes.