LWers honored for life-saving actions during a fire Jan. 14

SEAL BEACH/OCFA

The Orange County Fire Authority (OCFA) and the City of Seal Beach honored Mutual 1 residents Jeong Kim and Willie Boudevin on Feb. 28 for their lifesaving efforts on behalf of a neighbor whose unit caught fire on Jan. 14. Seal Beach Mayor Joe Kalmick formally thanked both men on behalf of Seal Beach, saying the outcome could have been far more devastating if not for Kim and Boudevin’s heroic actions. He praised them for their dedication and presented both with a plaque from the city.

The men were honored at the Feb. 28 meeting of the Seal Beach Council. In addition to the plaques, they were given the highest and second highest civilian honors that the Orange County Fire Authority (OCFA) bestows for their actions during the fire.

On Jan. 14 at about 1:38 p.m., Boudevin and Kim saw smoke coming from a neighbor’s windows, and they could see flames inside. The men sprang into action with no regard for their own safety.

Kim entered the residence to rescue his neighbor, and Boudevin found a garden hose and stayed in the hot and smoke-filled patio directing water through a window onto a flaming couch until firefighters arrived.

“I saw the smoke, and I saw Mr. Kim running to help, so I grabbed the hose,” Boudevin said Tuesday. “There was a lot of smoke and it felt like it was 250 degrees, but I tried to keep the fire at bay until firefighters came.”

OCFA Division Chief Ron Roberts said he was pleased to honor the men.

“Without the quick and selfless actions of both men, this fire could have been much more damaging as well as potentially causing bodily injury, or worse yet, a fire fatality,” Roberts said. “Both gentlemen are being recognized and awarded by both the city of Seal Beach and the Orange County Fire Authority.”

Kim was awarded the OCFA’s Chief Award, which is the highest honor the agency gives to a civilian honoree.

Boudevin was awarded the OCFA’s Certificate of Merit, which is the second highest honor the OCFA awards to civilians.

Kim, speaking through a translator, said he was truly honored to have received award and would have done the same for anyone.

Boudevin called it his duty to help out when he could, adding that everyone should take time this weekend to double-check their smoke alarms to make sure they are in good working order.