On Monday, March 19, 2007, members of the Warren County Department of Fire and Rescue Services were presented with the 2007 Lifesaving Award from the Warren County Chamber of Commerce at the Inaugural Medal of Valor and Lifesaving Awards Ceremony and luncheon held at North Warren Station 10. The award is given in recognition of acts taken in a life threatening situation where an individual’s life is in jeopardy.

The situation that won this award is as follows and involved both career and volunteer staff from the Department;

On Saturday, September 30, 2006, around 1600 hours, Rescue Stations 9, 1 and County ALS were dispatched to a choking with respiratory arrest at the 4-H Center off of Harmony Hollow Road.  County ALS responded on Medic 1-1 to the incident.  Upon marking responding to the incident, Medic 1-1 was advised the patient was now in cardiac arrest. 

Upon Medic 1-1’s arrival on the scene, several retired Washington D.C. firefighters advised responders where the patient was and that they had been providing CPR for approximately 10 minutes just prior to EMS arrival. 

Taking over patient care, our initial provider impression found a patient who was unresponsive to all stimuli, was dark blue in color from his collar bone(s) up, and was not breathing.  Responders suctioned the patients airway immediately because a large amount of blood and secretions were noted.  After the airway was cleared, an attempt was made to insert an oral airway, but the patient had a gag reflex, so a nasal airway was inserted and the patient was ventilated utilizing a bag valve mask.  EMS providers boarded the patient to assist those individuals who were transporting in the event CPR was again needed.  The patient had a laceration in the mouth which Providers were unable to identify, but did require at least two additional suctioning events enroute to Warren Memorial Hospital where the patient was transported Priority 1.  As the patient was loaded into the unit, he was placed on an ECG monitor which revealed a narrow complex NON-Life-threatening rhythm.  A large bore I.V. was initiated and Glucose was checked because the patient had a history of diabetes.  Approximately 5-7 minutes into patient contact, the patient began breathing on his own with good chest rise and fall and was placed on a NRB Mask with oxygen at 15 LPM. 

Upon arrival to Warren Memorial Hospital Emergency Room, the patient was responding to verbal stimuli by opening his eyes when asked, but did not exhibit any ability to perform any other bodily movement.  Patient was transferred to Emergency Room Staff and has since, recovered fully.

This call is a classic success story of the 911 system where a witnessed choking and respiratory arrest occurs. Passersby activate the 911 system while others begin airway management and CPR on the patient (for over 10 minutes). Rapid response by fire and EMS responders allowed Advanced Life Support intervention and rapid transport to the closest medical facility.

Another aspect that makes this incident extremely special is the fact that this group was retired firefighters on their annual summer picnic, whom have been in the business a long time and undoubtedly saved many lives,  and in this case, were a very important part of saving this members life.

Warren County Dept Fire and Rescue-    Shawn Graber- Firefighter/Medic

Warren County Dept Fire and Rescue-      Lee Gibson-  Firefighter/EMT

Front Royal VFC #1-       Jaime Boudreau- Firefighter/EMT

Front Royal VFC #1-       Eric Rinker- Firefighter/EMT

Front Royal VFC #1-       Scott Curry- Firefighter

Front Royal VFC #1-       Ricky Fogle- Firefighter/EMT

Chester Gap VFC #9-      Todd Brown-  District Chief

Chester Gap VFC #9-      Adam Moore- Firefighter

Chester Gap VFC #9-      Chris Ubben- Firefighter

Chester Gap VFC #9-      Sara Fogle-  Firefighter/EMT