McConnell spouse saves lives

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Armando A. Schwier-Morales
  • 22nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
MCCONNELL AIR FORCE BASE, Kan. --  While we often dwell on the fight our Airmen face on the battlefield, we rarely think about the battles their spouses face on the home front.

One of those spouses is Rena Baumgartner, wife of Senior Airman Jerimiah Baumgartner, 22nd Logistic Readiness Squadron vehicle operator, who has faced many challenges but still found a way to help others.

Along with having her husband deployed, Mrs. Baumgartner cares for their two children and is a licensed child care provider, caring for at least six children at one time.

"Having my husband deployed is very hard, but I still try to help other people out as much as I can," said Mrs. Baumgartner.

Recently while preparing for her day, she noticed smoke outside her window and then saw that a neighbor's car was on fire. Staying calm, she gave her fire extinguisher to her neighbor and got the children out of their house.


"One of the things that helped was the Child Care provider classes because it taught me to realize the seriousness of those situations," said Mrs. Baumgartner. 

However, the car incident would not be the last encounter she would have with fire.

One month after the car fire, Mrs. Baumgartner, her two children, Carmella Drew, wife of Senior Airman Eric Drew, 22nd LRS vehicle operator, and Senior Airman Jared Adams, 22nd Civil Engineer Squadron firefighter, where driving home after selling cookies when Mrs. Baumgartner noticed flames spewing out of a home.

Without hesitation Mrs. Baumgartner pulled into the drive way while her friends called 9-1-1. While Mrs. Drew stayed back to ensure the children's safety, Mrs. Baumgartner and Airman Adams raced to the house, under the shadow of 6 foot flames shooting from the roof.

When they reached the house the discovered that the older couple living in the house was unaware of the fire that had broken out.

"While Airman Adams helped the older man get out, I was getting the older lady because she was overwhelmed and was having trouble moving," said Mrs. Baumgartner.

Because she was able to stay calm, Mrs. Baumgartner was able to get the woman out, and Airman Adams was even able to get the couple's pets.

"Mrs. Baumgartner has her head on straight and doesn't get upset," said Mrs. Drew, "She is a good person."

Having saved two lives and helped to prevent a possible disaster, Mrs. Baumgartner just wanted to do the right thing, as she was taught, she said.