Teen honored for heroism, valor

HAYDEN — The quick actions of 14-year-old Fisher DePriest using rudimentary tools helped rescue two people Aug. 4 on Hayden Lake.

In what sounds like a rescue from an episode of “MacGyver,” the Coeur d’Alene student sprang into action using his fishing equipment to pry open the roof and help two people trapped inside.  

At a brief ceremony Thursday before a fire commissioner meeting for the district, Fire Chief Pat Riley praised DePriest’s fast thinking under pressure, bestowing the first Citizen Commendation for Heroism and Valor from Northern Lakes Fire District. 

“You are an exceptional example of what citizens should be like,” Riley said, adding that the department will be hiring if DePriest is eventually interested in the career.  

DePriest was fishing in his boat when he saw a vehicle crashed about 200 feet down an embankment off Hayden Lake Road about 9:45 a.m. He called 911 and then positioned his boat close to the vehicle to get a closer look at what had happened.  

“I was surprised, and I was just like ‘I've got to go help those people, they're probably really badly injured,’” DePriest said. “They were a little traumatized because they had just crashed.”  

Using scissors and a fillet knife, he pried open the sunroof and pulled the occupants onto his boat until the Kootenai County Sheriff’s Office and Northern Lakes Fire arrived.

The two were not injured, according to KCSO. 

He was able to relay to 911 dispatchers where the crash occurred, what was needed to help the vehicle’s occupants and how badly the car was totaled.  

DePriest was also awarded the Northern Lakes firefighters coin and the chief’s coin for his efforts.

Following the presentation, DePriest was encouraged to join the junior firefighters with the department since he already has lifesaving instincts in a crisis. 

The teen said he was excited to share the experience of receiving the award with his family and called the honor a surprise. 

He said he won’t go looking for emergency situations, but won't hesitate to act if he sees one, either.

“If there’s someone in need of help or in danger, I’d just go help them,” DePriest said. 

    Fisher DePriest was honored Thursday at the Northern Lakes Fire District station in Hayden for his rapid emergency response when a crash occurred where he was fishing.
  

    A pinning and promotion ceremony was held for two Northern Lakes firefighters Thursday morning at the Hayden fire station. Captain Jarrod Pitts, who has been with Northern Lakes Fire for 12 years, and Engineer Justin Brodin, who has served with Northern Lakes for nine and a half years officially received promotions.