First responders honored for life-saving efforts

At the Nov. 25 commission meeting, the Pike County Fire Department introduced two citizens – and the men and women who saved their lives – in order to highlight the work done by local first responders.

PCFD Training Chief Steven Poss shared information about the department and the outstanding efforts of both paid and volunteer firefighters.

“Over the past few years, we have witnessed a significant increase in the demand for our services, reflecting the growing needs of our community. The PCFD includes both dedicated volunteer firefighters and professional career firefighters. We operate out of a single fire station that is staffed 24 hours a day. During this time, we have two part-time career firefighters on duty, as well as one additional firefighter who assists during peak call times to ensure prompt response to emergencies. A majority of our career firefighters are residents of Pike, which fosters a strong sense of commitment to the local community. Many of them are not only career professionals but also volunteer their time to serve in various capacities within the department. This dual role enhances our ability to respond effectively and efficiently to emergencies, and we rely heavily on the unwavering dedication and enthusiasm of our volunteers. Their contributions are invaluable in enabling the department to fulfill its mission of safeguarding lives and property in our community.”

He shared a few incidents where first responders helped save lives, including on Sept. 25 when a bee sting was reported to 911 at 9:45 a.m. The patient, Robbie Vickery, quickly started to experience significant difficulty breathing.

“At that moment, the county faced a challenging situation: all ambulances were already engaged in responding to other emergencies, leaving none available for immediate dispatch. Understanding the urgency, the dispatch team promptly made calls to neighboring counties in search of mutual aid, requesting an ambulance to respond as quickly as possible,” said Poss. “The first emergency responders arrived on scene at 9:59 a.m. to find the patient unconscious and unresponsive, displaying signs of severe respiratory arrest due to an allergic reaction. In a crucial update, dispatch informed the responders that another ambulance was on its way but would take approximately 20 minutes to reach the location.”

Poss, commissioners and members of the community honored firefighter/paramedic Caleb Pritchett and firefighters/EMTs Doug Blount and Kevin Gilham who saved the patient’s life by using a BVM (Bag Mask Valve device) with supplemental oxygen and maintained oxygen levels. EMT Sally Hammock and AEMT Kim Ragan arrived on scene at 10:31 a.m. and two minutes later, the patient was able to breathe on their own.

“This encouraging turnaround was a testament to the quick-thinking, skilled interventions of these brave individuals who responded in a time of crisis, ultimately making a significant difference in the patient’s outcome,” said Poss.

Another patient was suffering from a heart attack on Oct. 16 at 3:28 p.m. and upon arrival, first responders found an individual unconscious and unresponsive. The national survival rate for out-of-hospital cardiac arrest is currently at 10.4%.

Firefighter Kyle Caraway accessed the patient’s condition and realized CPR was required immediately. After assessing the patient further, he placed the AED pads on the patient’s chest and delivered a life-saving shock. Shortly afterward, others arrived to help continue the lifesaving efforts and they were able to help the patient regain a pulse before he arrived at the hospital. He was admitted to ICU where he remained for seven days before returning home. He walked to the front of the courtroom to thank those who saved him, along with commissioners and citizens in attendance at the meeting. Those who were honored for their life-saving efforts included firefighter Caraway, firefighter/EMT Joey Leonard, EMT Jessica Williams and paramedic Frank Clackum.

Poss noted that local first responders exhibit professionalism on a regular basis as they protect local citizens.

“Since its establishment as a part-time paid department, the PCFD has accumulated a wealth of experiences, with numerous stories reflecting their commitment to serving the community,” he said. “In a remarkable series of events, the department recently responded to a plane crash, took action to rescue a horse that had become trapped in a hole, and provided assistance to a patient who was pinned under the bucket of a Bobcat, all within just one week,” said Poss. “Each of these incidents required not only technical skills but also quick thinking and teamwork under pressure. I would like to express my gratitude for the opportunity to publicly acknowledge and commend the hard work, dedication, and courage of our crews. Their unwavering commitment to the safety and well-being of our community is truly commendable.”