WASHBURN, Wis. — South Shore Ambulance EMT Dennis Swenson, 62, died attempting to rescue his mother from a fire at their home May 1 just after 4 a.m. Swenson, his mother Dorothy Swenson, 95, and the family dog were all found dead after the fire was extinguished.
According to a Bayfield County Sheriff’s Office investigation, it appears that Swenson, a volunteer EMT, was awakened by his pager. The dispatch on the pager was a request for a response to a fire at his home in Cornucopia, Wis.
A neighbor saw the fire from across the field, dialed 911, and then drove to the Swenson residence. Swenson was out on the front porch when the neighbor arrived. According to the neighbor, Swenson grabbed a fire extinguisher and said he was going back in the house for his mother.
“This is an incredible loss for our community,” said Patti Stemwedel, Director of South Shore EMS. “Dennis had been an active EMT since 1988 – that’s 27 years as a volunteer EMT. He carried his pager wherever he went always, ready to help another in need. To say he will be missed is most certainly an understatement.”
A memorial service for both Swenson and his mother will be held this May 9 at the Herbster Community Center, Herbster, Wis. The Wisconsin EMS Honor Guard and area ambulance, fire and law enforcement agencies will participate.