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Floyd Twp. Chief Wright earns Medal of Valor, CPR save honor
The Floyd Township Fire Department recently held its inaugural awards dinner. Every member of the department received a recognition ribbon for his or her accomplishments.
Distinguished Service Awards were presented to Lt. Jason Simonson, Gordon Stone, Stacey Lindenmeyer, Capt. Shawn Walton, Chief Roger Wright, Brandi Burdine, Lt. Chadwick Benge, Jennifer Simonson, Jessica Benge and Erin Miller.
The Unit Award was presented to Brian Ervin, Lt. Jason Simonson, Gordon Stone, Chief Roger Wright, Lt. Chadwick Benge and Erin Miller.
Meanwhile, Good Conduct Awards, representing five years as a fire department member in good standing were presented to Chris Query, Jennifer Flater, Matt Robbins, Past Chief Jeff Purcell, Capt. Shawn Walton, Chief Wright and Assistant Chief Kenny Human.
The Medal of Valor, the biggest award of the night, was presented to Floyd Twp. Fire and Rescue Chief Roger Wright for heroism in removing a handicapped victim from a working house fire.
Wright told the Banner Graphic that in May 2011, while he was still assistant chief, he responded to the report of a house fire. Arriving on scene three minutes after dispatch, Wright encountered heavy smoke, flames through the roof and entrapment.
"The victim's 80-year-old father was standing on the front porch, yelling that his handicapped daughter was in the back bedroom," Wright recalled.
Entering the house without regard for his own safety, Wright found a seriously handicapped 47-year-old female lying on the floor in a rear bedroom. With quick thinking, Wright placed the victim on a sheet and dragged her into the front yard.
Checking her condition, he noted that she had no injuries, and Wright then informed an incoming medic of the patient's location and left her in her family's care. The assistant chief then completed a 360-degree examination of the fire scene and started operations upon arrival of engine.
Chief Wright was also awarded the CPR Save Ribbon at the awards program.
That honor stems from an October 2012 incident in which the chief responded to an "abdominal problems" emergency call.
Upon arrival, he found an 87-year-old female patient in distress with shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, nausea and vomiting.
Placed on oxygen with her vitals in normal range, she said she felt better even though she vomited several times. She reportedly told the chief she didn't want to be transported to the hospital because she was leaving for Florida soon.
However, Chief Wright convinced the patient to wait until the medic arrived to run some tests. But within a few minutes of the medic's arrival, the woman went into cardiac arrest.
With quick response by the Operation Life Medic Jerry Cox and Chief Wright, the patient's heartbeat was restored and she was rapidly transported to the hospital by Chief Wright and the Operation Life crew.
At last report, she was happily vacationing in Florida.
Chief Wright was also named EMS of the Year, while Firefighter of the Year went to Lt. Jason Simonson and Officer of the Year was bestowed upon Lt. Chadwick Benge.
A plaque was awarded to Ted Salzman upon his retirement with 58 years in the fire service.
Dinner was catered by "Taco Chop" Ron Nunez and his wife.