Lieutenant Kirby McElhearn Medal

EMT-D: Keith Schroeder

EMT-D: Sandra Franklin

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With the victim finally free of the flaming wreckage, the medical team was able to focus on caring for his medical needs. The patient was immobilized, placed into the ambulance and taken to Elmhurst Hospital. These professionally trained emergency responders--knowing how critical time was when dealing with these serious injuries--completed all of the above activities within a mere eight minutes. As the ambulance headed for the Elmhurst emergency room, the medical team continued to render their life-saving measures. They performed CPR, established an intravenous line and intubated the patient. After the patient was delivered to the care of the Elmhurst emergency room personnel, three members of the heroic rescue crew needed to seek medical attention for themselves. Paramedic Newman had to be treated for inhalation of smoke, as well as a dry chemical agent. Paramedic Whitfield sustained abrasions and lacerations to both her hands from the broken glass. EMT Franklin sustained a back injury from lifting the victim out of the car. Fortunately, after receiving treatment, all three were released. The individuals participating in this rescue did so at great personal risk. Without hesitation, they entered into an extremely dangerous situation in order to provide much-needed medical assistance to a critically injured citizen. Their heroic efforts are being recognized with the presentation of the Lieutenant Kirby McElhearn Medal for 1998.--LK