Emergency Excitement When All Goes As Designed.

Rickey Stokes

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Posted by: RStokes
[email protected]
3347901729
Date: Apr 22 2019 10:45 PM

TO THE SURROUNDING AREA: Since 1977 I have had the distinct pleasure of working around emergency services in Dothan - Houston County and the surrounding area.

Over the last couple of years I have had the distinct pleasure of working with entities across Dothan - Houston County through my work with Dothan - Houston County Emergency Management.

TODAY has been a interesting day. My excitement IS NOT that an emergency occurs, my excitement comes from when an emergency occurs and all players do as expected and give exceptional service to the citizens and guests of Dothan - Houston County.

At 12:30 PM today a wreck on Highway 203. The primary department of responsibility was Rehobeth Fire - Rescue. The second in was Taylor Fire. Houston County Sheriff Department, ALEA-Troopers and Dothan-Houston County Emergency Management.

Rehobeth Assistant Fire Chief Nick Floyd mutual aid requested Dothan Fire Department. Dothan Fire Engine Company 2 ( Lakewood ), Engine 3 ( Westgate ) and Batallion Chief Pete Webb responded.

Today's extrication was prolonged. The call was received at 12:30 PM and the ambulance departed the scene at 2:10 PM, trauma alert, to a Dothan hospital.

The extrication was different. It was challenging, had to be creative, had to think out of the box, in order to make things happen. Today was that day.

All departments and agencies worked as one. All in a team, working for the common goal of saving a life.

And the beginning was in the ones who are never recognized but the most important part of the emergency services team - the Sheriff and Police 911 Operators.

All agencies worked together. And thanks to the Dothan Mayor, Commissioners, and Dothan Fire Chief for your 1 million percent support in Dothan Fire responding advanced life support to so many area agencies.

ASHFORD MOTORCYCLE ACCIDENT

If the wreck with the one hour and 40 minute extrication was not enough, a motorcycle accident with trauma in Ashford on Highway 84. The initial reports were patient not breathing.

Ashford Fire, Ashford Police, Houston County Sheriff Department, Dothan-Houston County Emergency Management rolled. Dothan Fire Department was requested mutual aid assistance for advanced life support.

Houston County Commissioner Doug Sinqufield was on the scene coming up on the accident within about 5 minutes of it happening.

The patient was breathing when EMS left the scene. Dothan Fire arrived and boarded the ambulance with Ashford Rescue and transported trauma alert.

Again, thanks to Dothan Mayor, Dothan Commissioners and Dothan Fire Chief Larry Williams. Never a hesitation for the advanced life support assistance in trauma cases and major cases.

EMERGENCY EXCITEMENT

No, I do not get excited when the emergency occurs. What I get excitement is when all works as designed. From the 911 call being received, proper emergency services roll, and the injured are given the quality care they deserve.

Without a doubt or hesitation, I can say, the injured patients were given above and beyond the quality emergency services they deserved.

You know, emergency responders never control the outcome. That decision is one that rests with GOD ALMIGHTY.

But what emergency responders can control, every resource available to save a life is in place and utilized in order to attempt to save a life.

Today it worked. And that is what I get excited about. When the system works.

Can we always do better? Always.

But today took innovation, challenges to discuss and work through, thinking out of the box.

THANK YOU to each and every person involved, beginning with 911 - through emergency responders and hospital staff.