Elkhart Fire Department Recognizes Life-Saving Actions at City Council Meeting

At tonight’s City Council meeting, the Elkhart Fire Department formally recognized three individuals whose quick thinking, training, and decisive actions directly prevented serious injury and loss of life.

Former Fire Chief Mike Compton was presented with a Life Saving Award for his long-standing commitment to fire prevention and public education. Over many years, Chief Compton has consistently taught practical life-safety principles including exit planning, fire drills, family accountability, and early activation of 911. In November, those lessons proved life-saving when a local family safely escaped a residential fire by applying the exact strategies learned through his education efforts. All four occupants exited the home safely, crediting Chief Compton’s instruction and years of reinforcement at home for their calm and effective response.

Firefighter Cody Sposato was recognized for extraordinary actions taken while off duty and outside the City of Elkhart. After encountering a serious motor vehicle crash involving multiple occupants, Firefighter Sposato immediately assessed the scene, rescued a critically injured individual trapped inside a vehicle, and provided life-saving care until additional emergency responders arrived. The individual survived and was transported in critical condition. His actions were later commended by the Bertrand Charter Township Fire Department as going well above and beyond expectations.

The Fire Department also recognized Chloe Holdeman, a five-year-old whose quick thinking prevented a potentially tragic outcome during a flooding incident at Hellenic Senior Living on December 7, 2025. After hearing alarms and unusual noises, Chloe woke her mobility-impaired grandmother and urged her to evacuate their third-floor apartment. Both exited safely before the unit rapidly filled with water due to a fire sprinkler system failure. Officials determined that a delay in evacuation could have made escape impossible. While not a formal departmental award, Chloe’s actions were publicly acknowledged for their role in preventing serious harm.

These recognitions highlight the importance of fire prevention education, emergency response training, and the life-saving impact of awareness and decisive action at any age.

For additional questions please contact Director of Communications, City of Elkhart.

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