(Salt Lake City, Utah) – The
Utah Department of Health (UDOH), Bureau of Emergency Medical Services and
Preparedness paid tribute to the emergency medical professionals representing
the many dedicated heroes whose mission is saving lives. Today’s EMS Awards Ceremony gave special
recognition to several different categories of responders who went above and
beyond in the handling of critical situations.
Special recognition was given
to those who responded to a vehicle versus train crash last November. Kaysville police, the Kaysville Fire
Department, the Layton Fire Department, and the Davis County Sheriff’s office
all responded when a UTA Frontrunner train ran into a van carrying three
people. The adult female driver, Clara
Lewis, was found in critical condition with life-threatening head injuries.
When Davis county paramedics,
Deputy Shane Archibald and Deputy Shane Sorenson, discovered her airway was
restricted, they elected to use a pre-hospital rapid sequence intubation (RSI)
protocol they had only recently been trained in, likely saving her life. It was the first time they’d used the
procedure.
“As I reflect on the many
lives the men and women in the EMS profession have affected, my respect and
admiration for their commitment and fortitude continues to expand,” said Bureau
Director Paul Patrick. “It’s one of the
highlights of the year to have the opportunity to thank them publicly and
acknowledge their remarkable service.”
Special recognition also went
to West Valley Police Officer Kevin Peck, whose story went viral in December
after he responded to an incident involving a pedestrian and a UTA bus. 24-year old Aryann Smith’s legs were pinned
under the large vehicle and she was awake and frightened. Officer Peck crawled under the bus to take
her pulse and remained there, holding her hand, until fire crews were able to
lift up the bus and get her out.
For more information on the
EMS Awards Ceremony and a complete list of winners, visit the UDOH Bureau of
Emergency Medical Services and Preparedness website at www.health.utah.gov/ems.
Media Contact:
Tamara Goodin
Emergency Medical Services
Systems
Cell: (801)
230-2963
Office: (801)
273-6672
