Recovering Trauma Victim Stops in Fire/EMS Station to Thank Medics

MEDIA CONTACT: Mark E. Brady, Chief Spokesperson, 240-508-7930

mebrady@co.pg.md.us @PGFDPIO

A mid-November car crash at Kenilworth Avenue and Greenbelt Road in Greenbelt involved three vehicles and multiple injuries. One of the most seriously injured was an adult female who sustained a serious head injury and loss of blood. Paramedic Unit 812, the Pink Paramedic Unit "Hope," assigned to the College Park Fire/EMS Station, responded and arrived quickly. Being as "Hope" is an Advanced Life Support Unit they were assigned to the most seriously injured patient.

The crew of Fire Fighter Medic Brian S. Goldfeder and Fire Fighter/Medic Grant L. Walker found Angela, an adult female with extensive lacerations to her head and loss of blood. They treated per protocol and transported to a nearby trauma center.

Angela, of Fairfax, VA, was recently released from the hospital. She often thought about her experiences that night and wanted to thank the medics that treated her. She recalled being transported in a pink unit. After a quick Google search for a pink medic unit she came up with contact information for the Prince George's County Fire/Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Department. After communicating with the Departments Public Information Officer a meeting was set up with the medics and her.

On Monday, December 8, Angela, her daughter and a friend arrived at the College Park Fire/EMS Station where she met her two heroes. The visitors brought home cooked fudge and other sweet treats for the pair of medics that were greeted by Angela with a big hug. Angela still shows scars of the trauma to her forehead but is glad to be alive and have the ability to smile. Her personality was vibrant and full of life and she thanks the medics for everything they did for her that evening.

Angela and the medics spoke about the events of the evening and she saw the back of the medic unit. Fire Fighter/Medic Walker stated that this was the first time he had ever met a patient he had treated and explained there is no greater award then to be able to meet and talk with a former patient.

Angela, her daughter and friend stayed for about 45 minutes and seemed proud and thrilled to have met the pair of medics and grateful she was able to personally thank them for everything they did on that night. After meeting the medics, Angela stated, "It meant so much to me to be able to meet these two men who made the unimaginable so much more bearable. Accidents are frightening enough but they tended to my injuries with professionalism and genuine care. It was nice to bring closure to the experience by meeting them face to face. I am so grateful to have survived the accident and that I could actually be there to thank them in person."

Goldfeder and Walker were happy to have met Angela and help her remember the events of the evening. Goldfeder stated, "The vast majority of time we never see or hear of patients once we deliver them to a hospital and we understand that is just part of the job. Meeting and greeting a patient that did not look so good when we treated them to see them full of life later is the best award a EMS provider could ever receive."