RYE — Town Administrator Matt Scruton is pleased to share that the Town of Rye will be awarding Dennis Okyere, a program assistant for the Rye Recreation Department, a Certificate of Recognition for his efforts in helping public safety officials during a house fire in Portsmouth in July.
WHEN:
Tuesday, Aug. 13 at 6:30 p.m. during the Select Board Meeting
WHERE:
Rye Town Hall, 10 Central Road
WHO:
- Rye Recreation Program Assistant Dennis Okyere
- Recreation Director Dyana Martin
- Rye Select Board Members
- Members of Rye Police and Fire
- Other Invited Guests
WHAT:
The Town of Rye will present Okyere with a Certificate of Recognition for Outstanding Bravery and Community Dedication, for his efforts in assisting first responders during a house fire in Portsmouth in July.
On July 18, Portsmouth Police and Fire were dispatched to a single-family home on Greenleaf Avenue for reports of a garage fire.
On arrival, Portsmouth Police was advised that residents were still trapped inside the home. Okyere, who lives across the street, knew that his neighbors had safely evacuated from the home, which was fully engulfed in flames.
He observed an officer preparing to enter the home when he ran across the street and alerted officers that the residents had made it out safely, ultimately preventing officers from being exposed to danger.
Okyere then continued to assist first responders with evacuating adjacent homes.
The fire was brought under control within 40 minutes. One firefighter was transported to Portsmouth Regional Hospital for heat exhaustion and was released. There were no injuries.
Okyere will be recognized for his quick thinking and his effort to preserve the safety of first responders and residents on Aug. 13, which coincidentally happens to be his birthday.
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