Story originally printed in the La Crosse Tribune or online at www.lacrossetribune.com
Published - Friday, September 05, 2008
Local firefighter inducted into hall of fame
 La Crosse firefighter Blane Neher will soon be inducted into the Wisconsin Fire and Police Hall of Fame fo recent heroics he performed on the job. PETER THOMSON photo |
One of the best aspects about being a firefighter, Blane Neher said, is you’re part of a family.
But tonight, he’ll be recognized for something he did on his own.
The seven-year veteran of the La Crosse Fire Department is being inducted into the Fire and Police Hall of Fame for rescuing a bedridden woman from a burning home in 2005.
Neher and a La Crosse fire crew were scrambling in September 2005 to get a family out of a Mississippi Street house.
He was alone at the home’s front door when he heard someone inside pleading for help. He was able to find the elderly woman and get her outside to safety.
“All you really are thinking is you need to help that person,” said Neher, 35. “That’s the only thing that was really going through my head, to get inside and get her out right away.”
Being alone and making decisions without any backup made Neher’s actions in that incident special, said La Crosse firefighter Todd English, who nominated Neher for the honor.
“The definition is something that’s above and beyond,” said English. “I think that’s where his situation fits in.”
“He (Neher) used his training and his personal judgment on this one,” said Superior firefighter David Johnson, president of the Hall of Fame.
This will be the ninth induction banquet in the Hall of Fame’s 11-year history, Johnson said.
Although the Hall of Fame is in Superior, Wis., the banquet and induction ceremony will be at The Plaza Hotel & Suites in Eau Claire, as the other officer being inducted is from Eau Claire.
The Hall of Fame each year accepts two nominations of either individuals or groups for induction, Johnson said. It has recognized 50 firefighters.
A dozen selectors review the nominations each year and score them to decide who gets inducted, Johnson said.
“It’s the efforts that the individuals or groups go through in the attempt,” he said. “That’s heroic.”
“It’s quite an honor,” Neher said. “You’re getting your story looked at by other firefighters. That means a lot to me.”
Neher is the fourth La Crosse firefighter to be accepted into the Hall of Fame, but he’s quick to point out the honor is not just about him.
“It’s an entire department,” he said. “I’m very proud to go into the Hall of Fame as a member of the La Crosse Fire Department. There are guys on this department who do heroic things every day.”
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