Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department
4100 Chain Bridge Rd, Fairfax, Virginia 22030
703-246-3801, TTY 703-385-4419 and 703-385-1687
www.fairfaxcounty.gov/fire

02/13/2006

Sisters Provide Early Warning for Rescue

The Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department will recognize Rachel and Heidi Jenkins, Friday, February 17, 2006, at 10 a.m., at Waynewood Elementary School, 1205 Waynewood Boulevard, Alexandria, Virginia 22308, for their lifesaving actions during an emergency incident.

On Saturday, September 3, 2005, at approximately 11:50 a.m., Heidi, 11, and Rachel, 10, sisters, were outside their home playing when they heard a person in the Potomac River screaming for help. Immediately realizing the seriousness of the emergency, Heidi and Rachel notified their father, Captain Larry Jenkins, an off-duty Fairfax County firefighter, to call 911 to report an emergency.

With the assistance of Captain Jenkins and other fire and rescue personnel, the sisters helped rescue one person from the Potomac River. The sole survivor was taken to Inova Mount Vernon Hospital for observation and later released.

For their extraordinary actions, the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department will present Heidi and Rachel Jenkins with a Lifesaving Award.

Note: Heidi and Rachel Jenkins, and parents will participate in the ceremony.

Fairfax County is committed to nondiscrimination on the basis of disability in all county programs, services and activities. Reasonable accommodations will be provided upon request. For information, call 703-246-3801 and TTY 703-285-4419.