By MES Dispatch staff
The Briefing
- • Four Alpha Fire Company firefighters, all Penn State students, were honored for rescuing an injured captain at a second‑alarm fire in Haines Township, Pennsylvania.
- • The incident occurred Oct. 5, 2025, at the historic Woodward Inn.
- • Captain Christopher Martin was injured when the floor collapsed during firefighting operations.
- • The student firefighters assisted in extracting Martin and exited the structure safely.
- • Recognition was presented during a Centre Region Council of Governments meeting.
STATE COLLEGE, PA — Four Penn State student firefighters were formally recognized for their roles in rescuing an injured colleague during a second‑alarm fire at the Woodward Inn in Haines Township on Oct. 5, 2025, authorities said. FireRescue1
The Alpha Fire Company members — Lt. Kara Stover and firefighters Diego Gomez, Jason Jiang and David Barnfield — received commendations at a Centre Region Council of Governments General Forum meeting earlier this month. FireRescue1
Fire Director Shawn Kaufman told StateCollege.com that the historic 211‑year‑old building was fully involved when crews, including Alpha’s Rescue 5 unit, were assigned to attack the first‑floor blaze. FireRescue1
During firefighting operations, Captain Christopher Martin fell about 10 feet into the basement through a collapsed floor and suffered a significant shoulder injury, officials said. Firefighter Diego Gomez, who also fell, made verbal contact with Martin and began coordinating efforts to raise an alarm and bring a ladder. FireRescue1
Despite sustaining his own injuries, Gomez helped Martin up the ladder, and Stover, Jiang and Barnfield assisted both firefighters back to the first floor and out of the burning structure. Kaufman described the rescue as demonstrating “a high level of professionalism, dedication and calmness.” FireRescue1