No ordinary heroes
Published: February 25, 2006
EVERY ONCE in a while, Calgary’s paramedics come across people, who, in times of crisis and tragedy put their lives on the line and try to save another.
It’s something paramedics are trained to do everyday, but for the average person, not used to dealing with emergencies, it’s an incredible example of bravery and selflessness.
Several of those people were honoured last night at the 4th Annual EMS Foundation Citizen Recognition Awards banquet at the Roundup Centre.
EMS spokesman Ben Morgan said he believes every human being has the innate desire to help people in times of need but it’s those who actually follow through in times of crisis that has caught the eye of the city’s paramedics.
“So often, these people are left behind at a scene because we as paramedics are like a tornado and we come in, take the patient, and then we are gone.
“So it’s good to have an evening to recognize ordinary people who have done extraordinary things,” he said.
Those adults celebrated for their heroic deeds receive a stunning silver-and-gold ring made by Calgary EMS paramedic Jeff McDougall and Calgary’s little Husky Heroes will get a stuffed dog with a medallion from the oil-company sponsor.
Here are the people and their heroic efforts that were lauded last night.
It was during a road trip from Calgary to Vancouver that led truck driver Darryl Hicks to a horrific car crash just outside of Calgary city limits on Dec. 30, 2004.
Hicks, who had some emergency response training, turned his high-beams on the scene and noticed young Anabelle Mayer, whose father Jindro was already dead, being carried from the vehicle.
Hicks took Anabelle from the arms of the stranger and brought her to his truck where he performed CPR until EMS arrived.
Anabelle died several days later, but Hicks’ heroic efforts earned him the coveted EMS Chief’s Award.
Jamie Robertson put his own life in danger and stepped in front of a knife-wielding criminal to protect his neighbour in a real-life Halloween horror.
It was Oct. 31, and Melanie Strong opened her door to a masked man, who immediately pulled out a knife and stabbed her in the back and head. Her screams alerted her neighbour Robertson, who rushed to her rescue and fought the stabber until he fled the scene.
Paramedics who arrived at the scene said Robertson’s actions saved Strong’s life.
Although rescue attempts aren’t always successful, Morgan said it’s important to recognize the efforts made by those who did what they could to keep the victim alive.
That was the case just after 11 p.m. on Sept. 26, when John and Peter Baker were getting ready for bed and heard a crash outside their home. They rushed over to the crushed car in their boxer shorts and scooped 19-year-old victim Fraser Thomas Noseworthy from his car.
They carried him away from the vehicle,-a wise move considering it exploded in flames moments later.
They performed CPR until paramedics arrived, but sadly, Noseworthy didn’t survive the crash.
Two resourceful citizens were able to save Donald Klassen’s life after they tied two dog leashes together and pulled him from the icy Bow River on Nov. 19.
Klassen was out walking his own dog along the ice on the Bow River when he fell through.
Mark and Janene Flath noticed the accident and were able to pull him free.
The rescue of Bob Elliott is a prime example of the benefits of having employees trained in CPR and first aid.
Elliot had a heart attack while working at the Foothills Pallet.
His three co-workers performed CPR on him until paramedics arrived.
Neil Kain, Elliot’s co-worker, was the only employee who would accept the recognition.
A day of fly-fishing on the Bow River led to Rod Edwards rescuing an elderly man who fell through the ice while wandering along the shore on March 3.
The elderly man went almost completely under the water and suffered minor hypothermia. Edwards stayed with the man to keep him warm until paramedics arrived.
When it comes to times of crisis, few stay as calm and cool as children, said Morgan.
“Children follow directions much better than adults,” he said.
Morgan said many children in Calgary were recognized this year for extraordinary calls made to 911.
Because of the way certain children handled themselves and the directions given to them, 911 dispatchers have started keeping track of those worthy of EMS recognition awards.
Here are the most notable little heroes of 2005:
Seven-year-old Devon Hoggan has saved his mother’s life twice.
The little boy called 911 two times, once in June and once in November, after his mother Kyra had a seizure.
The dispatchers said Devon was very co-operative and did an excellent job in explaining what the problem was.
When John Waddel, 6, found his grandmother on the kitchen floor and was unable to wake her, he calmly called 911 and paramedics were able to treat her for severe anxiety.
Not only did Pheben Mekuria, 8, save her mother Niya by calling 911 when she had a seizure, she also helped keep her calm when paramedics arrived.
Paramedics on scene said Pheben translated for her mother, who didn’t speak English, and helped calm her fears as to why there was a “stranger in their home.”
The little girl said she had learned about calling 911 in school a few days before the incident.
Janpual Patawaran didn’t speak English very well and was scared when his grandfather collapsed in their house, but he still managed to call 911 and stay on the phone until EMS arrived.
The 70-year-old man was taken to hospital and treated.
Two-year-old Zoe Wynn probably didn’t understand what was happening when she found her five-year-old brother Adrian with a drape cord wrapped around his neck, but she knew it wasn’t good.
She immediately went and told her mother who found Adrian blue and almost strangled to death.
Zoe’s mother Sarah said she probably wouldn’t have found Adrian in time if it wasn’t for her little girl bringing the situation to her attention.
After finding her father collapsed on the floor, eight-year-old Ashlynn Van Overdyk-McIntire immediately called 911.
The dispatcher said Ashlynn was very calm and answered all their questions.
She was even able to roll her father into a recovery position to help him breathe.
The call taker said she was amazed that Ashlynn was able to roll her father over.
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