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FIRST RESPONDERS: Local heroes get the credit they deserve
The ballroom of the Indianapolis Marriott East might as well have been Putnam County East last Friday evening.
During the 2023 Indiana Emergency Response Conference Awards Dinner, local agencies earned five different honors.
Notable on the evening was the role veteran Roachdale Fire Chief and PMH Ambulance Service Director Mike Poole played in it all, as he had a hand in three of the honors — Volunteer Fire Chief of the Year, Basic Life Support Provider of the Year (non-fire based) and the Heroic Rescue of the Year.
The latter is what really displayed the teamwork of first responders in Putnam County. The award, given for a June 23 response at Fern Cliff Nature Preserve was bestowed on seven different agencies — Putnam County EMS, Putnam County 911, Putnam County Sheriff’s Office, Greencastle Fire Department, Madison Township Fire Department, Roachdale Fire Department and Bellmore Fire Department — and 26 responders.
Putnam County EMS had its share of the spotlight as well, with the agency earning Advanced Life Support Provider of the Year (non-fire based) for the second straight year, as well as the agency’s medical director, Dr. Paige Ostahowski, being named the 2023 Medical Director of the Year.
It was a great evening punctuated by some well-deserved honors for these local heroes. If nothing else, the fact that we have the best ALS and BLS ambulance services in the state right here in the county should give us all some confidence if we have to pick up the phone to dial 911.
This goes deeper than that, though. The truth is we have a lot of great first responders in this county, many of whom have no awards on the mantle, but still put themselves at risk daily to make this county a safer place for the rest of us.
In the pages that follow, you’ll find an account of each of the awards from the recent ceremony, as well as some photos of responders doing their jobs over the last year and a reflection on what they do from Staff Writer Brand Selvia.
It’s not much, but we hope it’s a fitting tribute.
IERC Heroic Rescue of the Year - Fern Cliff
On June 23, a group of local agencies came together for a rescue at Fern Cliff Nature Preserve in Madison Township, one in which a 60-year old man could have easily died.
However, their efforts that day saved him.
Putnam County EMS Chief Kelly Russ submitted the nomination, which was chosen over other nominees from Vincennes Township Fire District and Seymour Fire Department at the 2023 IERC Awards Dinner.
Russ was effusive in praise of the response she saw that day:
A 911 call was received regarding a 60-year-old male patient who had fallen 60 feet into a ravine. The treacherous terrain made it nearly impossible to reach him. It required a 24-minute, half-mile foot hike through a heavily wooded nature preserve, followed by a challenging climb down extreme, deep, steep mossy ravine with loose gravel to reach the injured individual.
These individuals and agencies demonstrated exceptional bravery, teamwork and resilience throughout this harrowing rescue mission.
Upon reaching the patient, it became evident that his condition was critical. He was hypotensive, hypoexemic and had decreased lung sounds bilaterally.
The unforgiving conditions in the ravine posted numerous challenges, further complicating the rescue efforts.
Under immense pressure, the deputy chief (Anthony Taylor) made a crucial decision that ultimately saved the patient’s life. After intubating the patient, he recognized that the airway ventilation efforts were still compromised. Without hesitation, he performed a bilateral finger thoracostomy, providing immediate relief and restoring the patient’s ability to be ventilated properly.
This quick decision obviously saved the person’s life.
The collaboration and assistance from the entire team of first responders involved in this operation was really, truly remarkable. Despite the treacherous circumstances, they worked tirelessly together, demonstrating a true sense of camaraderie and commitment to the well being of the patient and their fellow first responders. Their coordinated efforts ensured that the person and all responders were safely extracted from that ravine, further highlighting their exemplary professionalism and dedication to duty.
From the initial contact with the patient to the patient loading onto the helicopter, these first responders spent an hour and 43 minutes making sure this patient had the best possible outcome even though he faced some of the worst circumstances.
It is because of the combined efforts of this combined team of first responders that the patient, against all odds, survived this devastating accident. He’s currently preparing for discharge from Methodist Hospital to a rehab hospital in Indianapolis where he will continue to recover and regain his strength.
The 2023 Heroic Rescue of the Year was awarded to:
• Putnam County EMS: Anthony Taylor, Kyle Flanagan, Ashley Green and Quentin Humbarger.
• Putnam County 911: Debra Simmons and Kim Koch.
• Putnam County Sheriff’s Office: Dwight Simmons and Kyle Lee
• Greencastle Fire Department: Rob Frank, Kenny Shepherd, Brandon Watson, Paul Hinton and Matt Wolff.
• Madison Township Volunteer Fire Department: Lee Price
• Roachdale Fire Department: Mike Poole, Greg Asher, Hunter Kiplinger, Dean Lepine, Heath Kerns, Diane Poole and Brian Poole
• Bellmore Fire Department: Jason Games, Dale Fivecoat, Charles Moon, Kyle Gordon, Jayson Taylor and Dustin Pruett.
IERC Volunteer Fire Chief of the Year - Mike Poole, Roachdale
Mike Poole’s name is synonymous with Roachdale and with emergency services in Putnam County.
The veteran Roachdale fire chief was named the 2023 IERC Volunteer Fire Chief of the Year last Friday night, topping nominees from East Gibson Fire Territory and Lowell Volunteer Fire Department.
In her nomination, Putnam County EMS Chief Kelly Russ tried to sum up Poole as follows:
This individual has served his volunteer fire department for an impressive 40 years, with 27 of those years as the chief of department.
This longevity in service speaks volumes about his commitment to the department and his unwavering dedication to the safety and well being of the community.
As a volunteer, he does not receive monetary compensation for his countless hours of service to the community. His selflessness and willingness to give his time and expertise without expecting anything in return exemplifies his dedication to the betterment of his community.
He is a trusted community staple, known for being approachable, known for being kind, known for his willingness to help others.
The community’s trust in him is evidenced by the fact that people sometimes call him personally instead of calling 911, recognizing his availability and that he’s reliable in the times they need him.
His willingness to be accessible and go the extra mile for his citizens showcases his consistent professional commitment, his passion, his dedication to the safety and the well being of the people he serves.
Throughout his many years of service, he has consistently displayed a professionalism and dedication to his role as fire chief. He’s always willing to go above and beyond to ensure the effectiveness and the efficiency of the fire department.
His approachable nature combined with fine leadership skills fosters a sense of camaraderie, a sense of trust within the department, enabling the team to operate smoothly and flawlessly.
Medical Director of the Year - Dr. Paige Ostahowski
A doctor at IU Methodist Hospital, Dr. Paige Ostahowski doesn’t have a household name in Putnam County, even among first responders.
But in her role as medical director for Putnam County EMS, she has helped shape the agency that was just formed in 2020 and has now been named the IERC ALS Provider of the Year twice in a row.
For these efforts, she garnered her own IERC award — 2023 Medical Director of the Year.
EMS Chief Kelly Russ had high praise for Ostahowski in her nomination:
Her unwavering dedication, exceptional leadership and outstanding contributions to the advancement of EMS care make her an outstanding candidate for this esteemed recognition.
Her professionalism and attitude of excellence consistently exceed expectations. She consistently goes above and beyond the normal day-to-day experiences to ensure that our EMS team provides the highest level of care to our community.
This individual’s contributions to the advancement of EMS patient care have been remarkable. Her visionary approach to protocol development has transformed our emergency medical services, resulting in improved patient outcomes and increased operational efficiency.
She spearheaded the implementation of evidence-based practices that have really changed our response strategies enabling our EMS personnel to deliver timely and effective care in the most challenging situations.
One of her most commendable attributes is her leadership in promoting the importance of free hospital care.
She has been instrumental in establishing partnerships with local community organizations, schools, health care providers, all to raise awareness about the critical role EMS plays in the health care continuum.
Beyond her exceptional contributions to patient care, she has also demonstrated exemplary leadership skills. She has cultivated a culture of collaboration and excellence within our EMS team, fostering an environment where each member feels valued and motivated to perform at their very best.
Her contributions have had a profound impact on our organization, the EMS community and most importantly the patients that we serve.
ALS Provider of the Year - Putnam County EMS
The Putnam County Commissioners formed Putnam County EMS in early 2020.
Even with challenges inherent to forming a new agency and with EMS as a whole, Putnam County EMS has thrived under the leadership of Chief Kelly Russ and Deputy Chief Anthony Taylor.
In recognition of the department’s success, it has been named IERC Advanced Life Support Provider of the Year for the second straight year.
In the words of Commissioner Rick Woodall:
Throughout 2023, this agency has consistently risen above the rest when facing challenges. The agency has been tested with multiple high acuity incidents and locally devastating situations. Their commitment to excellence in the face of adversity showcases their unwavering dedication to delivering high-quality care to the citizens that they serve.
This agency has maintained a fully-loaded full-time roster of EMS providers despite the staffing challenges that plague EMS agencies nationwide. Their achievements speak volumes about the administration’s ability to foster a supportive and engaging work environment that attracts and retains talented individuals.
In addition, they consistently prioritize the safety and mental health of their employees. They emphasize the importance of diversity, equity and inclusion, fostering an environment where all employees feel valued, respected and supported. Their dedication to employee well being and professional growth is evident through their continuous efforts to provide resources, training and opportunities for advancement.
Financial struggles can often hinder the profits of any organizations, but the administration has consistently found creative ways to finance the department’s needs without burdening the community.
Beyond their exceptional performance, they actively engage with the community, promoting public safety awareness and outreach in the community. They go above and beyond their duties by providing additional support and services during challenging times, such as delivering oxygen in their personal vehicles to those affected by power outages during recent storms.
The commitment to providing exceptional regional care is evident in the positive feedback consistently received from citizens regarding the professionalism and outstanding care given by our providers.
BLS Provider of the Year - PMH Ambulance Service
In an era when volunteerism is on the decline, PMH Ambulance Service is anachronistic.
Despite being a 100-percent volunteer EMS provider, the Roachdale-based agency manages to continue providing basic life support emergency medical services to the residents of Putnam County.
In recognition of its efforts, PMH was named the 2023 IERC Basic Life Support Provider of the Year.
As Putnam County EMS Chief Kelly Russ put it:
This organization has been an invaluable asset to our community, providing essential basic life support services as a volunteer organization.
Their commitment to the community is unwavering as they consistently assist other organizations on multiple incidents, offering additional manpower or transporting units for ALS providers when needed. Their collaborative efforts demonstrate their dedication to providing the highest level of care for patients in the region.
As a staple of the community, they are highly regarded by both residents and health care professionals alike. They’ve established their reputation for delivering patient-centered care with the utmost compassion, professionalism and quality.
Despite being a volunteer service, their members are available 24/7, 365 days a year, ready to respond to the needs of the community at any time.
Their community-centered approach is evident in their proactive involvement within the community, as they actively engage in public health initiative, public health programs and community outreach events, promoting public safety awareness and providing a valuable resource to their residents.
In conclusion, this organization’s exceptional dedication, community focus and commitment to patient-centered care make them an ideal candidate for this award.