Lincoln-Logan County emergency response professionals honored

Hundreds protected, one life saved during fairgrounds incident

[September 05, 2008]  Lincoln Fire Chief Kent Hulett and Lincoln Police Chief Stuart Erlenbush took a few minutes before the Lincoln City Council this week to recognize individuals and the teams of professionals who were on duty on one evening this summer. Their efforts spared hundreds of people from harm and saved one man's life.

Hulett acted as spokesman. He said:

The City of Lincoln Police and Fire Departments are recognizing three members of the police and fire departments for their life saving efforts of a Lincoln resident on July 8, 2008.

A Lincoln resident suffered sudden cardiac arrest outside during a severe lightning storm with high wind conditions. The patient had no pulse, and was not breathing when first responders initially found the patient lying in a puddle of water. Several hundred occupants had just been evacuated from a circus tent at the Logan County Fairgrounds. CPR was performed immediately by Police Corporal Robert Sherren, and off-duty Lincoln Fire personnel-Assistant Chief Mark Miller, and Inspector Chris Harding. An unidentified female bystander also assisted first responder personnel.

Due to the immediate response and proper treatment of this resident during adverse weather conditions, this resident was resuscitated with breathing and heartbeat restored prior to the arrival of the Logan County Paramedics, and on duty Lincoln City Firefighter-Emergency Medical Technicians.

This resident is alive and well today with not only the intervention of these three individuals, but was truly a team effort including the following individuals and agencies.

• Mr. Dan Fulscher, Logan County EMA and 911 Director

• Mr. Terry Storer, Logan County Deputy EMA Director

• Mr. Mark Mann, Logan County E-911 Supervisor

• Ms. Debbie Kimberlin, Logan County E-911 Assistant Supervisor

• Ms. Jodi Washam, Logan County E-911 Dispatcher

• Paramedic Robert Kelly, Logan County Paramedic Association

• Paramedic Jeremy Barrow, Logan County Paramedic Association

• Lieutenant Ken Ebelherr, Lincoln Fire Department

• Inspector Tim Aper, Lincoln Fire Department

• Police Officer Clint Wombles, Lincoln Police Department

• Abraham Lincoln Memorial Hospital, Mr. David Miller R.N. emergency room

(Text copied from scan of news release issued by Lincoln Fire Department Chief Kent Hulett, Sept. 2)

He reiterated, "This was truly a team effort." Starting with the foresight of the EMA directors, Fulscher and Storer, who were prepared for severe weather and were on scene at the fairgrounds to coordinate the evacuation of several hundred people that night. "I'm convinced that if they hadn't done that, there would have been more serious injuries than the individual that suffered a cardiac arrest that night," Hulett said.

The Logan County EMA had brought the mobile command unit, which proved needed. A lightning strike at the public safety complex caused a total failure of the communication system.

The mobile unit and the 911 dispatch provided communications to the paramedics and firefighters responding. They were able to plan for advanced life support for the cardiac victim.

It was through the efforts of these many professionals that the victim was resuscitated, stabilized and transported, and is alive today, the chief said. The victim was present and asked to come forward, "The most important person in this room tonight is Mr. Craig," Hulett said. "I'm so glad to see you."

Mayor Beth Davis-Kavelman said: "Our firefighters and police officers go out every day, and they don't know what is going to happen when they go out on a call. They just know when it's spectacular like this, it's very rewarding." And she thanked everyone.

[LDN and Lincoln Fire Department news release]