Kathy Griess was cutting across Cloverly Road on her way home from Omaha on Monday night when she saw the smoke.
When she stopped to investigate, she found the mobile home at 925 S. Main St., Lot 11, on fire. She was about ready to dial 911 when she saw a young girl jump out of a window.
Guided by the child, Griess pulled the girl’s 3-year-old and 1-year-old brothers out of the home to safety.
For her quick thinking and life-saving actions, Griess was honored Wednesday by local and state officials during a brief ceremony at Fremont Rural Fire Department.
“If she would not have been at the place she was at the time she was, we would have had, without a doubt, some fatalities,” Fremont Rural Fire Chief Carl Nielsen said. “It’s not every day that you come across someone who is willing to do what you did. Most people pick up their cell phones and say, ‘Hey, I see smoking coming from a trailer’ and they just keep driving right down the road. We really appreciate what you did.
“The only thing that we can say is ‘thank you.’”
Dodge County Sheriff Hespen added: “Kathy’s actions were undoubtedly responsible for saving the two children’s lives. Too many times we hear that people do not want to get involved with what is happening around them, but Kathy’s actions made the statement that people are willing to get involved.”
State Fire Marshal John Falgione commended Griess’ heroism.
“Kathy Griess is being recognized for her act of true heroism and compassion on July 18,” he said. “Because she was observant and acted unselfishly, she rescued three young lives from a certain death when they were trapped in a mobile home fire. Kathy is living proof that heroes do walk among us.”
Griess said it has been a couple of crazy days since the fire. She has taken the attention in stride.
“I was just in the right place at the right time,” she said.
“It was kind of like you go into auto pilot. You don’t even think about it,” she added. “Now it seems a bit surreal. It just happened so quickly.”
She said she was honored to receive the recognition, but said it wasn’t necessary.
“I’m just so glad I was there,” she said.
Griess also credits the young girl who got her younger brothers to the back of the mobile home, away from where most of the flames were.
“That little girl was very brave, too,” Griess said. “I told her she helped save her brothers’ lives, too. It wasn’t just me; she did her part.”
No one was injured in the fire, which happened shortly before 8 p.m. Monday. Nielsen said firefighters were able to knock down the fire in about 15 to 20 minutes.
