A standing ovation and applause broke out at the recent Stephenville city council meeting as a pair of rare lifesaving awards were presented.
Stephenville Fire Chief Robert Isbell explained the awards were being presented to both the unit and to individuals who helped save the life of an electrocution victim in August 2024.
The unit citation award was presented for efforts shown on the scene exhibiting exceptional teamwork and extraordinary performance during an incident, displaying remarkable courage and quick decision-making, Isbell said.
Members of that unit include: Capt/PM Cody Wells, FF/PM Kirk Blume, FF/EMT Zach Hagood, FF/EMT Cole Carlin, FF/PM Jackson Allen, FF/EMT Sam Monds, FF/PM Aaron Hoodie and Div Chief Chris Elston.
Both Hagood and Allen are Dublin citizens.
The Cardiac Arrest Life Saving Award was presented to individual members of the fire department who performed an act of exceptional bravery and skill that directly resulted in the saving of a human life in cardiac arrest.
This award was presented to FF/ PM Jackson Allen, FF/PM Aaron Hoodie, FF/EMT Zach Hagood and FF/EMT Cole Carlin.
Chief Isbell explained in August Tarleton State University was nearing completion of its new parking garage and as is customary the city’s fire marshal informed the FD’s operation division they were granted clearance to tour the new facility.
“This was done to orient and familiarize our crews with the complex layout of the building,” he said. About a week later, B shift inspected this facility as part of the initiative including a small crawl space of the building.
Little did they know this training would aid them in saving a man’s life the very next shift.
At about 11 p.m. a distressing 911 call occurred stating a young man had received an electric shock while working in the crawl space and was still trapped under the building.
Upon arrival, crews immediately confirmed that the power had been shut off to the building and the other crew member was directed to a manhole that provided access to the crawl space.
Two individuals could be seen approximately 100 feet from the opening, with one performing a modified CPR due to the cramped space under the building.
The medic was joined by the other crew member and they took over CPR under the building as they started to move the victim to a location under the building that provided better access for emergency care.
“They actually defibrillated and shocked the patient while under the building, moved him to a backboard and eventually to a real skid unit to move the patient toward the opening, all while performing CPR and monitoring the cardiac rhythm,” Isbell said during council.
The skid had to be moved over several obstacles including pipes to get it to the opening and during that CPR was continued.
The victim was then moved to a Stokes basket for extrication. The engine and truck crews were rapidly establishing a rescue operation to get the victim out.
“Division Chief Chris Elston arrived on scene and provided some command support during this critical phase. The Stokes Basket was successfully pulled through the manhole with the victim on it, and care was continued in the ambulance,” Isbell said.
Remarkably, the victim regained consciousness. Anticipating the need for air medical to be on stand-by, Engine One requested them and they were dispatched to the airport.
The victim was transported via ambulance to the airport where Air Evac was waiting for them to arrive. The victim was flown to Fort Worth for further care.
“I’m happy to report I got to speak with the young man yesterday on the phone and he’s doing fine. He has no lasting deficits at all from the event,” Isbell said. “Probably, the best thing is he has no memory of the event. He is very thankful to the crew and he sends his appreciation. He also is very thankful to his friends who had to kick him off the 277 volt line and start CPR. He indicated how blessed he was to come out of the situation as he did.”
“We wanted to recognize this incident due to the complex nature of the rescue and the incredibly positive outcome for the victim. This is a very humble group that was really surprised that we wanted to recognize them. They feel that this is just a part of their job and that any of our department members would have done the same,” Isbell said. “As I would agree to this statement, I am very proud of the department’s ability to perform complex rescues. This incident resulted in a positive outcome due in large part of a bystander who initiated CPR. I would encourage everyone to get trained in CPR. This highlights that you never know when the opportunity might present to save someone’s life.”