It is never easy to arrive on a scene and find one of your own volunteers in need of help!
On the afternoon of December 9, 2021, Cooper Landing Emergency Services was dispatched to a reported motor vehicle accident on the Sterling Highway in Cooper Landing. According to Clay Adam, Deputy Chief, EMS, “When I arrived on scene, I immediately recognized a vehicle involved as one of our volunteers. My level of anxiety immediately rose exponentially. It rose even more when I determined that our volunteer was entrapped in the driver’s compartment of the vehicle and would require the jaws of life to extricate them.” Fortunately, within 10 minutes of the first fire unit’s arrival, our volunteer was successfully extricated from the vehicle, placed in spinal precautions, and moved to the ambulance for further assessment and treatment.
Throughout transport to the hospital, our volunteer was fully assessed, vital signs monitored, IV fluids established with fluid resuscitation and pain management provided. By the time we arrived at the hospital, they were resting quietly and while still painful, the level of pain had subsided substantially. Thankfully our prayers were answered, and our volunteer was able to be discharged home after approximately seven days of hospitalization. Since that day, they have been able to make a full recovery.
This scenario is not uncommon when volunteering in a small community. Regardless of who we are treating, we must bring calm to chaos and provide the highest level of care possible. It is only through repeated training and experience that we can achieve such valuable skills.
This accident served as a reminder that none of us are immune from the hazards of mother nature. Icy road conditions in the wintertime present a hazard for everyone. Please be careful on the roadways and always maintain situational awareness!
