| Name: | Eric Watkins |
| Gender: | Male |
| Agency: | Plainfield Fire Protection District |
| Type of Firefighter: | Career |
| Rank: | Firefighter |
| Type of Duty: | Emergency medical care |
| Type of Award: | Medal of Valor |
| Year of Award: | 2019 |
| Incident City: | Sheridan |
| Year of Incident: | 2018 |
| Incident Location Type: | Commercial |
| Incident Attribute: |
St. Charles Fire Department Captain Darin Peterson and Plainfield Fire Protection District Firefighter Eric Watkins were awarded the Medal of Valor for their actions on July 4, 2018.
Peterson and Watkins were both with their respective families in their cars waiting to watch a firework show at Robertson Field in Sheridan when lightning struck. A second bolt struck a tree, which Peterson could see had been sheltering a group of people. He immediately headed towards the area, where he found an 18-year-old male who had been struck in cardiac arrest and began CPR. Within moments, Watkins arrived to help. The two heard a scream and looked towards the commotion, seeing a four-year-old girl who had also been struck and appeared unresponsive. Watkins took over the CPR for the teenager, while Peterson went to help the child. An emergency room doctor was also present at the fireworks and was able to aid the firefighters in helping the victims. Both victims were taken to medical facilities where they were able to receive care.
Citations:Alicia Fabbre, “'I felt the shock': St. Charles fire captain, Plainfield paramedic credited with saving lives of 2 lightning strike victims,” Chicago Tribune, July 5, 2018.
Sydney Czyzon, “Firefighters help child, man struck by lightning,” The Times, July 5, 2018