Published on February 13, 2026 4:15 pm
Last Updated on February 13, 2026 4:15 pm
Several moments of recognition were made at a recent meeting of the Effingham City Council.
Effingham Fire Chief Brant Yochum recognized Washington Savings Bank employees Maddie Schuette and Angie Strohl with Distinguished Civilian Service awards for what were termed extraordinary actions.
Yochum said the two bank employees noticed wrong with a customer. They drove the customer to the hospital. They also wondered whether something in the customer’s residence might have caused their illness so checked the apartment for high levels of carbon monoxide. Firefighters also made sure of no further problems in the apartment.
(From left: Maddie Schuette, Angie Strohl, and Brant Yochum)
In a separate incident, firefighters stayed on scene for 90 minutes until concerns were addressed. They checked the customer’s apartment, then went to the hospital to check on the customer’s welfare. Those recognized (not necessarily in order) were Firefighters A.J. Tackett, Dan Klepzig, Ken Hayes and Captain Jeff Landrus, along with Maintenance Worker Clark Bigard.
Chief Yochum also recognized new Paid on Call personnel including (not in order) Firefighters Hayden Duckwitz, Wyatt Newburn, Trenton Scoggins, Nicky Stein, Chris Thies, and Caden Walls.
