St. Johns County firefighter recognized for I-95 water rescue

A St. Johns County firefighter who helped pull a family from a retention pond after a two-vehicle crash on Interstate 95 has been formally recognized for his off-duty rescue. Engineer Charles Cook, who serves at Fire Station 3, received a Certificate of Recognition from Commissioner Chair Clay Murphy at the station last month.

The rescue took place July 19 when Cook and his family were traveling north on I-95 toward Disney World. After witnessing a crash that sent one vehicle into a retention pond, Cook stopped and entered the water along with several bystanders before first responders arrived. The father of four helped the distressed family swim out of the sinking vehicle and to safety.

What happened on I-95

The two-vehicle crash occurred on Interstate 95 North on July 19. One of the vehicles left the roadway and entered a retention pond adjacent to the interstate, according to St. Johns County Fire Rescue officials.

Cook, who was off duty and en route to Disney World with his family at the time, witnessed the crash and immediately stopped. He entered the water alongside other bystanders who also responded to help before emergency crews arrived on scene.

Cook used his marine rescue training to help the family escape the submerged vehicle and swim to shore. All members of the family are expected to be okay, according to the county's announcement.

Commissioner Murphy presented the Certificate of Recognition to Cook at Fire Station 3. The county's Office of Public Affairs produced a video commemorating the recognition ceremony.

Marine rescue training in action

Cook deflected the label of hero, instead pointing to the training St. Johns County Fire Rescue provides its personnel. "I wouldn't call myself a hero," Cook said in the county's announcement. "I would call myself pretty well trained. "

The engineer credited his marine rescue training for enabling him to act quickly and effectively in the water emergency. St. Johns County firefighters undergo specialized training for water rescues, a necessary skill set in a coastal county crossed by the Intracoastal Waterway, numerous tributaries, and dotted with retention ponds that collect stormwater runoff from roads and developments.

Retention ponds are a common stormwater-management feature along Florida highways, designed to capture runoff and prevent flooding. But vehicles that leave the roadway and enter these ponds present time-critical rescue scenarios. Water can enter a submerged vehicle within seconds, and occupants may become disoriented or trapped as the car sinks.

Cook recalled the moment he was able to tell one of the family members that their children were safe. "This is what I do this for," he said. The relief he saw in the parent's reaction reinforced why he chose the profession.

Why bystander response matters

Cook's quick action underscores the value of bystander intervention in roadside emergencies, particularly in incidents involving water where time is critical. In this case, multiple bystanders entered the water to assist before professional first responders could reach the scene.

St. Johns County Fire Rescue expressed gratitude to the civilians who helped alongside Cook. "St. Johns County Fire Rescue expressed how proud they are of Engineer Cook's selfless actions and thankful to the bystanders who didn't hesitate to help," the county said in its announcement.

The incident highlights a recurring risk along Northeast Florida's interstate corridors. Interstate 95 runs the length of St. Johns County, carrying heavy commuter and tourist traffic between Jacksonville and Flagler County. Retention ponds line much of the route, a design feature required by Florida's stormwater regulations but one that creates hazards when vehicles leave the pavement at speed.

While fire-rescue personnel train for vehicle extractions and water rescues, off-duty saves often depend on the willingness of trained individuals to act without equipment or backup. Cook's marine-rescue background gave him the skills to assess the situation and enter the water safely, but the presence of other bystanders willing to help was equally important in ensuring all family members reached shore.

For the general public, the incident serves as a reminder of the narrow window for action in water-submersion crashes. Experts recommend that occupants attempt to exit a sinking vehicle immediately, before water pressure makes doors impossible to open. Bystanders without water-rescue training face their own risks; entering fast-moving or deep water without flotation can turn a rescue into a double emergency.

'Always do the right thing'

Cook's message to the public following the rescue was straightforward: "Just always do the right thing. "

Commissioner Murphy said the incident exemplifies why St. Johns County Fire Rescue personnel are valuable to the community, both on and off duty. The recognition ceremony at Fire Station 3 offered the county an opportunity to formally commend Cook's actions and highlight the culture of service within the department.

St. Johns County Fire Rescue operates multiple stations across the county, responding to a growing population that has made St. Johns one of Florida's fastest-growing counties. The department handles structure fires, medical emergencies, vehicle extrications, and water rescues across a jurisdiction that spans coastal barrier islands, suburban subdivisions, and rural areas.

Fire Station 3, where Cook is assigned, serves a portion of the county's service area. The station is one of several that must balance traditional fire suppression with the increasing demands of water rescue, given the county's extensive coastline, the Intracoastal Waterway, and the proliferation of stormwater ponds tied to new development.

The county's Office of Public Affairs produced a video of the recognition ceremony, which was shared publicly. The video and announcement are part of the county's effort to highlight the work of first responders and encourage civic engagement among residents.

Cook's rescue is the latest example of off-duty first responders intervening in emergencies across Northeast Florida. As the region's population grows and traffic volumes increase on I-95 and other major corridors, the likelihood of serious crashes—and the need for immediate bystander response—continues to rise. Cook's training, quick decision-making, and willingness to act turned a potentially fatal crash into a story of survival, and his recognition serves as a public reminder of the value the community places on service, both in uniform and out.