GOLD MEDAL OF VALOR
&
FIRE FIGHTER OF THE YEAR
Presented to
FIRE
FIGHTER/MEDIC SARA A. SHAFFER
On the morning of January 30, 2013,
Fire Fighter/Medic Shaffer and her crew members from the St. Joes Fire/EMS
Station 806 had just cleared the scene of a motor vehicle accident on the
Capitol Beltway in Lanham. Less than a
minute after being placed in service, the crew was jolted into action as they
witnessed an overturned tractor trailer coming to rest atop a jersey wall. The Officer-in-Charge notified Public Safety
Communications of the situation, and after the Squad was positioned, Shaffer
exited the apparatus to begin evolution of the scene. She suddenly noticed that behind the tractor
trailer and SUV large diameter hose was sprawled across the fast lanes of the
beltway, indicating a fire engine was involved in the accident. Having 3 vehicles involved and many potential
patients the crew split up to check on injuries. Shaffer sprinted toward the engine where it
appeared the force of impact had been so violent it overturned the vehicle and
then spun it around 180 degrees, before coming to rest across the broken jersey
walls.
As she approached the front of the
vehicle, Shaffer saw two of the firefighters from the engine had extricated
themselves through the windshield. A
third firefighter was standing on the officer’s seat. Although in shock, the firefighters seemed otherwise
okay. Immediately, she immediately
checked to see if anyone was still in the Engine. The injured crew pointed to the Engine’s cab,
where one of their crew members was trapped.
She recognized the trapped firefighter was in grave condition, as his
legs were not visible and appeared to be pinned beneath the Engine; and, he had
also suffered massive trauma to his arm.
The seriously injured firefighter stated he was unable to move his legs;
therefore, rapid extrication was his only hope.
Fire Fighter Shaffer quickly ran
back to inform her crew of the entrapped firefighter. While updating her Technician of the need for
extrication equipment she had to assist him in removing a victim from under the
SUV, an immediate life or death situation.
The SUV passenger had attempted to self-extricate but was now become
pinned at his chest, between the pavement and the vehicle’s roof. Fearing the victim would suffocate if there
was further movement of the vehicle, the Technician used his weight to gently
rock it, while Shaffer pulled the passenger from beneath and away from the
vehicle. Dragging him to the jersey
wall, she assessed that neither he nor the driver were severely injured and instructed
them to remain still until additional assistance arrived on the scene.
Fire Fighter Shaffer then returned
to the overturned, unstable engine and entered through the windshield to assess
the injured firefighter. He was pale but
awake and covered by equipment. Shaffer
removed all debris from the cramped cab, freeing him from the
waist down. The firefighter had
suffered an amputation of his right arm above the elbow. Without the proper EMS supplies, Shaffer
positioned the patient so his own body weight would control bleeding. She performed a rapid trauma assessment and
attempted to keep the near unconscious firefighter awake and calm. As other units arrived on scene, she informed
them that a tourniquet and other supplies were needed.
The officer of the Squad, who had
been managing the entire scene, informed Fire Shaffer the Squad would be in
position and she was needed to work the extrication tools. Prior to exiting, she instructed the two
providers coming to replace her in patient care and ensured they had the
necessary equipment.
Upon exiting the Engine, she
realized the Squad had not moved. With
time running out, she retrieved a back board from an ambulance and reentered
the Engine. Positioning herself in the
officer's area, she explained the extrication plan to the injured firefighter,
the crew, and those standing outside the Engine. The backboard would serve as a fulcrum to
slide the firefighter up and over the seats and then as a ramp, with which to
slide him the remainder of the way through the cab and out the window onto
the awaiting stretcher and backboard.
During the process, Fire Fighter Shaffer used her body as
a wedge-locking board between the Engine’s house and the cab’s roof. Following the extrication, she proceeded to
the waiting ambulance and she continued to assist with patient care.
No Advanced Life Support units were
on the scene, and a decision was made to move forward with transport to
the closest trauma center. With the
dislodgement of the tourniquet, Fire Fighter Shaffer applied pressure by
clamping down with her hands over the firefighter’s brachial artery. She maintained that position for the duration
of the transport, as well as initial treatment phases once inside the ER. While en route to the hospital, she was
critical in ensuring proper care by instructing the crew on the best treatment
plan. She also talked with the injured
firefighter, explaining everything that was going on during transport and in
the trauma room. She remained with the
injured firefighter until he was sedated and unconscious.
While everyone working on this
incident displayed acts of heroism, Fire Fighter Shaffer illustrated valor and
ingenuity throughout the entire process.
Most firefighters responding on a call will likely be assigned one role;
but Fire Fighter Shaffer’s duties on this incident included extrication, patient
care, and scene management. She
undertook multiple roles and did them exceptionally well, all the while faced
with trying to save the life of one of our own.
For great personal risk, zeal,
ingenuity, and judgment, Fire Fighter/Medic Sara A. Shaffer is awarded a Gold
Medal of Valor and She is recognized as the 2013 Prince George’s County Fire Fighter
of the Year.
Fire/Emergency
Medical Services Department
GOLD MEDAL FOR EXCELLENCE IN EMS
Presented to
FIRE
FIGHTER/MEDIC TECHNICIAN KATHERINE P. JOHNSON
Over the past year, Fire Fighter/Medic Technician Johnson
became a county certified paramedic. On
the morning of August 7, 2013, Paramedic Johnson was off duty and driving down
a narrow, one-lane road known for deadly motor vehicle accidents, she came
across upon a Camaro that had crossed the center line and collided with an SUV
in a T-bone style collision. The scene
was still, without any movement from either vehicle and no rescue vehicles in
sight. Johnson immediately stopped her own vehicle and sprang into action. She sized up the scene and called 911,
relaying imperative information to ensure additional units and a helicopter were
dispatched.
Despite not having any personal protective equipment, Johnson
grabbed a small first aid kit from her vehicle and headed to the most damaged
car. Inside the Camaro were three
sisters, ages 20, 17 and 10. They had been
on their way to an appointment for senior portraits. The 17-year-old passenger suffered the full
force of impact and was completely entangled in the wreckage. Technician Johnson checked for signs of life
and found none. Being alone, she had to
make the extremely tough decision to move on and help the other victims.
The 20-year-old driver was motionless and not breathing. She felt for a pulse and adjusted the airway
so it opened, and the girl took a breath.
Recognizing her breathing was inadequate, she used a CPR mask provided
by police who were now on the scene.
Johnson provided ventilations and maintained an open airway until
another unit could arrive and take over patient care.
Johnson could hear the moans of another victim that could not
be seen. A 10-year-old girl, Peyton
Curl, was underneath the vehicle wreckage.
Again without the protection of personal protective equipment, Johnson
entered the vehicle and started to remove items from around the victim.
As more units and personnel arrived on the scene, Johnson was
able to perform a rapid trauma assessment, vitals, establish an IV, and give
pain management drugs. But, most
importantly, she was able to keep the 10-year-old girl calm and still during
the tedious extrication process. She
guided the placement of hydraulic tools assisted with operations from her
position inside the vehicle, due to the limited access of the operators. After a 20-minute extrication process, the
child was removed from the wreckage. Johnson
accompanied the girl into an awaiting BLS transport unit and continued patient
care with other providers, including stabilization of fractures, establishing
additional IV with fluid therapy, and other Advanced Life Support
capabilities. She remained with the
child until the unit was ready to transport to the helicopter landing
zone.
If not for Fire Fighter/Medic Johnson’s immediate actions,
there would have been two fatalities. Her
ability to stay calm and perform her duties, command a scene, and instruct
others in the extrication of these severely injured girls deeply impacted the
outcome of the situation for the.
Without bodily protection, she selflessly placed herself in harm’s way,
where she remained until the last patient was removed.
For great personal risk and outstanding execution of advanced
life support, Fire Fighter/Medic Katherine P. Johnson is awarded a Gold Medal
for Excellence in EMS and is recognized as 2013 Prince George’s County Fire/EMS
Departments Paramedic of the Year.
SILVER MEDAL OF VALOR
Presented to
FIRE
FIGHTER/MEDIC ANTONIO D. COLE
On the morning of Sunday, December
8, 2013, Public Safety Communications dispatched units to the
Baltimore-Washington Parkway and Powder Mill Road for a personal injury
accident with entrapment and fire. Fire
Fighter/Medic Cole was on the way home from having just completed his 24-hour
shift at a Medic unit in Laurel, when he came upon the accident. A fire in the engine compartment was growing
and impinging on the passenger area.
Cole heard the distant sirens of Fire/EMS Department units, however, he realized
time was of the essence; and, immediate action was critical. Without
the protection of his Personal Protection Equipment, he approached the vehicle
and broke out the window. After
establishing the occupant was unconscious, he quickly entered the burning
vehicle and began initiating EMS care. Despite
seriously lacerating his finger on a piece of metal, Cole worked feverishly to
extricate the victim. He was successful
in removing her and initiated care on the roadway awaiting EMS arrival. Although he administered the best possible
prehospital emergency care, sadly, the victim succumbed to her injuries.
The courage and selflessness Fire
Fighter Cole demonstrated on the scene of this incident truly symbolizes the
caliber of service we strive to provide to the citizens of Prince George’s
County.
For great personal risk, courage,
and zeal, Fire Fighter/Medic Antonio D. Cole is awarded a Silver Medal of
Valor.
SILVER MEDAL OF VALOR
Presented to
VOLUNTEER
FIRE LIEUTENANT TIMOTHY MCCLOSKEY
BRONZE MEDAL OF VALOR
Presented to
VOLUNTEER LIEUTENANT KEVIN KANE
VOLUNTEER SERGEANT TIMOTHY JONES
VOLUNTEER FIRE FIGHTER RICHARD NEUNER
During the early
morning hours February 21st Firefighters were alerted to a house fire in
the 8600 block of Leslie Avenue in Glenarden.
Firefighters from the Kentland Fire/EMS Station were the first to arrive
and encountered a 1-story home with heavy fire coming from the front of the
house. As crews prepared to advance an
attack line to start extinguishment, an adult female met firefighters on the
street in front of the house and told firefighters that her husband and three
children were still inside the burning home.
Volunteer Lieutenant Timothy McCloskey organized a strategic plan to
make the rescues and extinguish the fire which was now consuming the majority
of the house.
McCloskey entered the
burning home with other firefighters ahead of the hose line to search for
family members still inside the home.
Another team of
firefighters advanced a hose line into the structure to start extinguishment
and to cover the firefighters conducting a search. One by one, despite intense heat and blinding
smoke, the trapped family members were located and carried outside. Other firefighters and paramedics had started
to arrive and initiated immediate emergency medical care to the four unconscious
and non-breathing adult male and 3 siblings.
All four were transported to the hospital in Critical Condition. Despite the very best efforts of everyone
involved the four family members succumbed to their injuries at the hospital.
For their heroic
efforts in locating and removing the trapped victims from the burning house under
extreme conditions and placing themselves in great personal risk these
firefighters are hereby awarded Medals of Valor.
Kentland
Volunteer Fire Lieutenant Timothy McCloskey is hereby awarded a Silver Medal of
Valor,
Kentland
Volunteer Lieutenant Kevin Kane, Kentland Volunteer Sergeant Timothy Jones and
Bladensburg Volunteer Fire Fighter Richard Neuner are hereby awarded Bronze
Medals of Valor.
SILVER MEDAL FOR EXCELLENCE IN EMS
Presented to
FIRE
FIGHTER/MEDIC KACIE E. HAYTER
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BRONZE MEDAL FOR EXCELLENCE IN EMS
Presented to
FIRE
FIGHTER/MEDIC JOHN A. BOWMAN
On Saturday, February 29, 2013, Fire Fighter/Medic Hayter
and Fire Fighter/Medic Bowman responded on board the Paramedic Unit from
Fire/EMS Station 830, to a home on 58th Place in Cheverly for a
female in labor. During the patient
assessment, the pair observed the umbilical cord was presenting with no sign of
impending birth. The bluish colored cord
was an indication that no blood was getting to the baby from the mother. If this child was going to be afforded the
best possible chance of survival, it was imperative to act quickly. Relying on her training, Hayter used her hand
to alleviate pressure on the umbilical cord.
With her hand in place, the cord became pink and she could feel a
pulse. Having alleviated pressure on the
umbilical cord, Fire Fighter/Medic Hayter’s hand could not be removed until directed
by a physician to do so.
Fire Fighter/Medic Bowman contacted Prince George’s Hospital
Center and informed them of the severity of the situation, as well as alerted
them to prepare a delivery room. Immediately
upon arriving at the hospital, the patient was assessed and without delay taken
to Labor and Delivery. The physician
determined that Fire Fighter/Medic Hayter must accompany the woman into the operating
room, where an emergency Cesarean Section would be performed. Her hand remained in place, and pressure was
kept off the umbilical cord until the baby was delivered. After a week in the hospital, the healthy
baby girl delivered at 36 weeks gestation was discharged into the care of her
parents.
For her outstanding application of emergency medical skills
that saved a life, Fire Fighter/Medic Kacie E. Hayter is awarded the Silver
Medal for Excellence in EMS.
For his application of emergency medical skills that saved a
life, Fire Fighter/Medic John A. Bowman is awarded the Bronze Medal for
Excellence in EMS.
BRONZE MEDAL FOR EXCELLENCE IN EMS
Presented to
FIRE
FIGHTER/MEDIC ANTHONY L. TAYLOR
On the evening of Monday, September 2, 2013, Taylor
responded on board the Medic unit from the Northview fire/EMS Station in Bowie
for a reported small plane crash at Freeway Airport. He was the first Paramedic to arrive on the
scene, where he encountered three victims with obvious serious injuries. A female victim had sustained severe facial
injuries and was lying on the shoulder of the highway. She had been removed from the wreckage prior
to the arrival of Fire/EMS units. Two
critically injured males were trapped inside the plane and would require extensive
extrication. Employing his training and
experience, Paramedic Taylor instructed the only Basic Life Support transport unit
on the scene to quickly load and transport the female to Prince George’s Trauma
Center.
Turning his attention to the remaining victims, whose
injuries were life-threatening, Paramedic Taylor administered Advanced Life
Support care to both males while they were being extricated from the
wreckage. One patient had sustained a
severe head injury and was presenting a decreased level of consciousness. The other patient complained of a possible
broken back and could not move his legs.
Upon the arrival of a EMS Supervisor Taylor provided an
update on the patient’s condition, including the female transport. His concise information was extremely beneficial
in ensuring the appropriate resources were requested for the care and transport
of the remaining patients. After giving
the update, he continued to provide patient care until additional ALS resources
arrived.
Paramedic Taylor’s quick thinking to
transport the female patient by Basic Life Support is credited with saving her
life. Immediately after reaching the
hospital, the woman was intubated and placed on a ventilator to protect her
airway. Had Taylor elected to wait for
another Advanced Life Support unit to arrive and transport, the outcome could
have been tragic. His decision enabled him
to concentrate on caring for the two critically injured males, thereby
providing the best possible chance for their survival.
For quick thinking and application
of emergency medical services that saved at least one life, Fire Fighter/Medic
Anthony L. Taylor is awarded a Bronze Medal for Excellence in EMS.
BRONZE MEDAL OF VALOR
Presented to
VOLUNTEER
LIEUTENANT PAUL J. McKENNY
In the early morning hours of Sunday, November 10, 2013,
units from Branchville Volunteer Fire/EMS Station 811 responded for a house
fire, with a person reportedly trapped, in the 5200 block of Palco Place in
College Park. Engine 811 was the first
unit on the scene, with Lieutenant McKenny as the Officer-in-Charge. He arrived to find heavy fire showing from
the second floor and roof of the house.
Lieutenant McKenny and his crew stretched a hose line through the front
door, where they encountered high heat and thick smoke. McKenny could see an adult female near the
bottom of the interior stairs in obvious distress. Conditions on the first floor were continuing
to rapidly deteriorating, with high heat and smoke banking down from the second
floor. McKenny instructed his crew to
provide hose line protection as he advanced toward the victim and lifted her
out of the house and into the care of awaiting EMS personnel. Prior to being transferred to EMS personnel,
the woman told McKenny that her husband
was still trapped on the second floor.
After notifying all units that an adult male victim was
still trapped on the second floor, McKenny rejoined his crew. The hose line was advanced to the second
floor to knock down the fire and provide protection for the truck crew that was
conducting the search. Sadly, the male
victim was pronounced deceased upon being located.
In addition to suffering smoke
inhalation, the female patient had sustained thermal burns to her airway. Following several weeks in the hospital, she
was released in good condition.
Branchville Volunteer Lieutenant McKenny’s quick thinking
and rapid action on the scene of this incident are attributed with saving the
victim’s life.
For personal risk and judgment, Volunteer Lieutenant Paul J. McKenny is
awarded the Bronze Medal of Valor.
BRONZE MEDAL OF EXCELLENCE IN EMS
Presented to
ACTING
FIRE FIGHTER/MEDIC CAPTAIN ALAIN W. ANTONIN
FIRE
FIGHTER/MEDIC TECHNICIAN STEPHANIE A. BUNCE
On the morning of Thursday, September 12, 2013, while
returning to the station after responding on a call, Captain Antonin and
Technician Bunce observed a car swerving across both sides of the road. When it crashed into a bus stop, the initial
thought was the driver might be inebriated.
Antonin and Bunce, realizing the safety of other motorists was
compromised, quickly began following the vehicle with both siren and air horn
sounding. The car eventually stopped in
the middle of the road, at which time a young female passenger jumped out. The school-aged girl was frantically
screaming, “Help me!” Fearing she may
have been abducted and uncertain of what to expect, Antonin and Bunce
approached the car with extreme caution.
Upon reaching the girl, the pair learned the driver, her mother, was
suffering a diabetic crisis. After
assessing the woman and noting that her glucose reading was only 23, an IV line
was started. Within minutes after
receiving Dextrose 50%, the patient’s blood sugar level increased and she
gradually returned to a lucid state.
The quick thinking and immediate action of Captain Antonin
and Technician Bunce quite possibly saved the life of the patient, her
daughter, and others.
For their bravery, quick thinking and application of emergency
medical care, Acting Fire Fighter/Medic Captain Alain W. Antonin and Fire
Fighter/Medic Technician Stephanie A. Bunce are awarded the Bronze Medal for
Excellence in EMS.
