On Monday, March 15, 2021, Station 27 (B Platoon) was alerted to respond to the 1000 block of Swede St. for a dwelling fire. Crews arrived quickly and reported fire showing from the 2nd floor rear of a 3 story multiple occupancy building with possible entrapment. During the response, an alert neighbor, 70 yr old, Jimmy “The Cowboy” Johnson ran up Swede St after calling 911. Then with the help of some young kids on the block, they kicked in the door and started yelling for everyone to get out. He was then told that there was still someone on the 2nd floor. Mr. Johnson entered the building, went up the steps and found a man on fire. He grabbed the man around the waist and brought him down the steps and outside, where they used a blanked to put the fire out on the man. The man he saved was flown to a trauma center in Philadelphia for treatment. The modest Mr. Johnson, Marine Corps Veteran, said it was just instinct that kicked in and he did what he had to do. He thanked Plymouth Community Ambulance and all the firefighters for taking care of him and making sure he was ok. The Norristown Fire Department salutes Mr. Johnson for his service to our country and our community. Mr. Johnson will be recognized by the municipality for his heroism at an upcoming council meeting.
