ALABAMA FIRE COLLEGE Serve - Sharpen - Succeed
AUGUST 2026
Recognizing the signs of an active drowning victim, Thomas and Gibbons immediately responded. Using their training and proper water-entry techniques, both instructors entered the water and rapidly swam toward the man.
At the July 2026 Quarterly Work Session and Meeting, the Alabama Fire College and Personnel Standards & Education Commission recognized Instructors Zach Thomas and Zach Gibbons for their life-saving response of a coordinated water rescue of a civilian while instructing a Surface Water Rescue class in June 2026.
AFC Instructors rescue civilian during class On June 11, 2026, Alabama Fire College instructors Zach Thomas, (Engingeer, Guntersville Fire Rescue), and Zach Gibbons (Captain, Prattville Fire Department), were conducting a Surface Water Rescue course at Wind Creek State Park. The course was hosted by the Alexander City Fire Department and attended by personnel from Alexander City Fire Department, Dadeville Fire Department, Opelika Fire Department, and Phenix City Fire/Rescue. The class had just completed a practical evolution involving leaping water entries at a dock area across the road from the primary training location. Following the exercise, the instructors and students returned to the main training area adjacent to the beach for a scheduled hydration break. While on break, the instructors and students continued to observe activity on the lake and surrounding beach area. During this time, they noticed a middle-aged man in distress approximately 50 yards offshore. The man was visibly struggling to remain afloat, splashing in the water, making gurgling sounds, and intermittently calling for help. He was observed repeatedly bobbing beneath the surface and having significant difficulty keeping his head above the waterline.
Upon reaching him, they found that he was extremely fatigued and barely able to remain above the surface. The instructors secured the man under the arm and across the chest while maintaining his airway above the water. Thomas was equipped with a rescue tube, which was positioned around the man to provide flotation support. The man was instructed to maintain contact with the device while slowing and controlling his breathing. Thomas then used the tethered rescue tube to move the man toward shore while Gibbons remained alongside him, maintaining physical contact and providing reassurance and verbal direction to keep him calm. Through the coordinated efforts of Thomas and Gibbons and the students participating in the Surface Water Rescue course, the man was safely brought to shore and assisted onto land. Once ashore, he was placed in a flat position and assessed. The man repeatedly expressed his gratitude and explained that he had entered the water to retrieve his son’s ball. He stated that he had not realized how far he had traveled from shore and had underestimated the physical effort required to return. He became exhausted and was unable to keep himself safely above the water. The Alabama Fire College recognizes Zach Thomas and Zach Gibbons for their rapid identification of a lifethreatening emergency, immediate response, and professional execution of a coordinated water rescue. Their actions, supported by the students participating in the course, resulted in the successful rescue of the man and likely prevented a drowning.