SUBMITTED NEWS RELEASE
Reno Firefighter Matt Peek, a member of the Reno Fire Department’s Water Entry Team (WET), was honored Friday with the 2011 Higgins & Langley Swiftwater Rescue Incident Award for his heroic rescue of two victims from the Truckee River.
On June, 16, 2010, intense, swift river conditions trapped several individuals underneath debris, pinning them and making it impossible to move or escape. Firefighter Peek’s decisive and immediate actions using his knowledge and training were instrumental in saving the lives of two people. Details of his heroic actions and the incidents will be outlined at tonight’s awards presentation.
The Higgins & Langley Memorial Awards are recognized as the most prestigious international awards in swiftwater and flood rescue, honoring trained rescue personnel and outstanding achievement performed in these fields of rescue.
The award was presented during the annual conference of the National Association for Search and Rescue (NASAR) at John Ascuaga’s Nugget Hotel.
