Hillsborough Firefighter's Heroic Actions Save Drowning Child

Hillsborough, NJ - Without hesitation or thought, Hillsborough Firefighter Michelle Golder jumped into action to save a fellow firefighter’s child from drowning at a Memorial Day BBQ.

“She was kind of bobbing in the water and I knew she couldn’t really reach the edge in the area she was swimming so I was watching her. And then as soon as she couldn’t get up and was looking like she was really struggling I jumped in and pulled her out,” Golder told Patch.

None of the other fighters even knew what was happening until Golder had jumped in the pool. Once the other members saw what happened they asked Golder why she didn’t tell anyone else.

“The words wouldn’t even have time to come out of my mouth by the time I was up and in the pool,” Golder said.

Ironically, Golder just got her lifeguard certificate on the Thursday prior, May 26 to the incident.

Honoring her actions, the Flagtown Hillsborough Fire Company 36 awarded her a citation for valor.

“Michele was awarded this citation for swift and heroic action on Sunday May 29 when she performed a solo water rescue to save another member's child from drowning,” Chief David Foelsch said on the company’s Facebook page. “Thank you for your quick action Michelle! The entire department is proud of you!”

Golder has been a member of the Flagtown Hillsborough Fire Company 36 for 13 years.

(Photo, Flagtown Hillsborough Fire Company Facebook: Michelle Golder with Chief David Foelsch and fellow firefighter Everett Heider.)

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