Feb11 LOCAL FIREFIGHTER
AMONGST THOSE RECEIVING QFRS ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER’S COMMENDATION
At 8.54am on 8 November 2010, the "C" Shift crew from No 14 Station (Sandgate Fire and Rescue) was turned out to a report of a road traffic crash at an address in Sandgate.
(Allan Verrall, Wayne Taylor, Mick Hurlstone, Greg Dack and Tim Watkins.)
Upon arrival, they were confronted with a scene where a small child had sustained serious head injuries as a result of being dragged by a car for approximately 10 metres while this vehicle was being reversed out of the driveway.
As the first arriving emergency services crew, Acting Station Officer Greg Dack and Firefighters Michael Hurlstone, Wayne Taylor and Allan Verrall acted with the utmost professionalism in rendering medical aid to the child and taking control of the scene until the arrival of officers of the Queensland Ambulance and Police Services. The crew from Sandgate continued to provide assistance until the child was stabilised and transported to hospital. Unfortunately, due to the severity of her injuries, the child died several hours after admission to hospital.
I have recommended Acting Station Officer Greg Dack and Firefighters Michael Hurlstone, Wayne Taylor and Allan Verrall for an Assistant Commissioner’s commendation for the following reasons:
The professionalism with which they acted in rendering medical assistance to the patient as the first arriving crew. The crew’s level of professionalism should be viewed in the context that this incident was the second in two days involving the serious injury or death of a patient.
Despite already having endured the emotional turmoil which occurs when attending incidents involving children, the entire crew focussed on their roles and duties thereby establishing the most favourable conditions possible for the oncoming QAS crews, and enhancing the reputation and standing of QFRS with the other emergency services and the general public.
The compassion which they displayed toward the patient and the other family members throughout the incident.
The manner in which the crew supported each other throughout the incident and during the Critical Incident Stress Debriefing process.
As the Area Commander of North-East Command, I attended this incident and witnessed these events firsthand.
Superintendent Tim WATKINS,
Rescue Ops,
Area Commander, North-East Command,
Brisbane Region.
As the first arriving emergency services crew, Acting Station Officer Greg Dack and Firefighters Michael Hurlstone, Wayne Taylor and Allan Verrall acted with the utmost professionalism in rendering medical aid to the child and taking control of the scene until the arrival of officers of the Queensland Ambulance and Police Services. The crew from Sandgate continued to provide assistance until the child was stabilised and transported to hospital. Unfortunately, due to the severity of her injuries, the child died several hours after admission to hospital.
I have recommended Acting Station Officer Greg Dack and Firefighters Michael Hurlstone, Wayne Taylor and Allan Verrall for an Assistant Commissioner’s commendation for the following reasons:
The professionalism with which they acted in rendering medical assistance to the patient as the first arriving crew. The crew’s level of professionalism should be viewed in the context that this incident was the second in two days involving the serious injury or death of a patient.
Despite already having endured the emotional turmoil which occurs when attending incidents involving children, the entire crew focussed on their roles and duties thereby establishing the most favourable conditions possible for the oncoming QAS crews, and enhancing the reputation and standing of QFRS with the other emergency services and the general public.
The compassion which they displayed toward the patient and the other family members throughout the incident.
The manner in which the crew supported each other throughout the incident and during the Critical Incident Stress Debriefing process.
As the Area Commander of North-East Command, I attended this incident and witnessed these events firsthand.
Superintendent Tim WATKINS,
Rescue Ops,
Area Commander, North-East Command,
Brisbane Region.
