Springfield Fire Department water rescue team saves retired MSU softball coach, dog

(From the Springfield Fire Department)

Thanks to the Springfield Fire Department Water Rescue team, retired Missouri State University women’s softball coach Holly Hesse got a second chance at life on Sunday after Hesse and her dog fell partially through the ice at the Lakeshore Apartments pond. Hesse went after one of her two dogs, fearing it might drown when it fell through the ice.

Captain Chris Gardner and equipment operator Tyler Nevins performed the rescue, with back up from members of the water rescue team, who trained as recently as last week.

Battalion Chief Christopher Roush, who oversees EMS and Special Operations, happened to be in the neighborhood when the alert came out and caught most of the life save on video. Chief Ben Houston was on scene organizing the response. He led the command of firefighters from multiple stations who were setting up for the incident as the water rescue team arrived.

“Our teams use special equipment to safely work in this environment; without it, the risk to anyone entering the water is extreme,” he said. The woman was transported to the shore, warmed up and taken via ambulance to Mercy out of an abundance of caution. Roush said her core temperature was low, which happens very quickly in these conditions.