Three members of the Plattsmouth Volunteer Fire Department were recognized for their "extraordinary effort” shutting off power to the city's wastewater treatment plant during the March flooding.
Drew Wampler, Chris Kerns and Greg Clifton received commendations during Monday's City Council meeting. Plattsmouth Mayor Paul Lambert said the men went by boat March 14 to shut off fuel to the plant, saving thousands of dollars in further electrical damage as the Missouri River continued to rise.
"I have always said the strength of Plattsmouth is its people," Lambert said Wednesday. "I think the actions by these men are a perfect example of that."
Wampler, Kerns and Clifton navigated the boat through dangerous currents "at significant risk to themselves," Lambert said. Security video from the plant shows the firefighters using bolt cutters underwater to open the water treatment plant's front gate.