Paramedics honored with Lifesaver Award

Yahoo

29-05-2025

The heroic efforts of those who saved a 1-year-old from drowning were recognized May 15 in Joshua.
The Chisholm Trail 100 Club's Lifesaver Award was presented to members of the Johnson County Emergency Services District No. 1, Joshua Fire Department and CareFlite during the Joshua City Council meeting.
'Because of their swift response, expert training and unshakable commitment, a young child's life was saved, a miracle that words can hardly describe,' Joshua Mayor Scott Kimble said. 'In moments when every second mattered, these first responders worked as one to bring a lifeless child back into their mother's arms.'
At about 1 p.m. April 22, Joshua emergency responders received a call about the drowning incident on Johnathan Court.
Responders arrived rapidly at the scene, where intensive CPR was already in progress, but the child had not yet regained a pulse.
'Thanks to the swift, precise and coordinated efforts of the emergency team, lifesaving measures were quickly implemented,' CT100 Club Executive Director Cara Ellison said. 'A pulse was successfully obtained, marking a critical turning point in the rescue.'
The patient was immediately transported by ambulance to a designated landing zone for CareFlite's helicopter. There, advanced medical care was provided to secure the patient's airway before transport by helicopter to Cooks Children's Medical Center.
After receiving further specialized treatment, the child was released from the hospital and is expected to make a full recovery.
'There is no greater gift than the one they gave that day: the laughter of a child, the embrace of a mother, and the promise of a future that could have been lost,' Kimble said. 'To our first responders, thank you for being the reason this family still has bedtime stories, giggles, first days of school, and countless memories ahead.
'Your bravery turned tragedy into hope, and for that, this entire community is deeply grateful.'
For their life-saving efforts, the Lifesaver Award was presented to:
— Joey Caruso, firefighter/EMT, who provided initial CPR and patient care for JCESD
— Justin Clanton, firefighter/EMT, who provided patient Care for JCESD
— Matthew Ayala, firefighter/paramedic, who provided airway management and patient care for JCESD
— Jay W. White, Joshua fire chief/paramedic, who provided airway management and patient care
— Rowdy Huffman, CareFlite EMT-paramedic supervisor
— Melford Slack, CareFlite EMT-paramedic supervisor
— Jeff Lemmer, CareFlite EMT-paramedic
— Nate Esch, CareFlite EMT
— David Ledbetter, CareFlite flight nurse
— Herb Corlew, CareFlite flight paramedic
— Martin Karpowicz, CareFlite pilot
Each department was presented with a Life Saver clock to symbolize time given back to the family, as well as a certificate and lapel pin for each individual.
The Lifesaver Award is presented by the CT100 Club to individuals who save the life of another person by taking direct, immediate and positive action.
'Evidence indicates that the action of the individual was the lifesaving act itself, or the action did prolong a human life,' Ellison said.