Emergency responders honored
Representatives of emergency agencies who were honored Friday night as “Jefferson Countians of the Year” pose for a photo at the conclusion of the Chamber of Commerce banquet. From left are Alyson Susong, representing White Pine Public Works; Kevin Bunch, Dandridge Police; Chad Cotter, White Pine Police and fire department; Andy Riley, Dandridge Fire Department; Marjorie Wiggington, First Tennessee Bank (who presented the awards); Greg Gann, Dandridge Public Works; Brad Phillips, Emergency Medical Service; Bud McCoig, Sheriff’s Department; Frank Solomon, New Market Fire Department; Ken Davis, Jefferson City Police; Justin Crowther, E911; Lee Turner, Jefferson City Fire Department; George Owenby, Chestnut Hill Fire Department; J. Ray Walker, Rescue Squad; Colin McRae, Jefferson Memorial Hospital; and Joe Devotie, Lakeway Central Fire Department.
Emergency heroes named ‘Jefferson Countians of Year’
Jefferson County’s everyday heroes – the men and women who provide emergency police, fire and medical services – usually do their jobs behind the scenes, with little recognition.
Friday night they were front and center, honored as the 2014 Jefferson Countians of the Year.
In its annual presentation at the conclusion of the Chamber of Commerce banquet, First Tennessee Bank recognized 17 different individuals and organizations – marking the first time in the award’s 31-year history that a group of people have received the honor.
“Many people in Jefferson County rarely think about these folks until, and unless, their services are needed,” said Angie Bowen, who helped Rosemary Wiggington, Regional President of First Tennessee, present the awards. “This group of individuals is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, including holidays and special occasions, and will arrive within minutes to assist you.”
In particular, the emergency agencies and individuals were honored for their outstanding response to a tragic crash involving a bus from Front Street Baptist Church the afternoon of October 2 on Interstate 40, in which eight people were killed and 14 injured, Bowen said. The accident occurred when the bus lost control, careened across the interstate and struck two vehicles, including a tractor-trailer rig that burst into flames.
The injured were triaged, treated at the scene and sent to hospitals within 45 minutes. “Achieving such a feat within such a rapid amount of time requires exceptional coordination and teamwork between and within all the agencies involved,” Bowen said.
A total of 1,600 man-hours were put in at the wreck scene and afterward. Dandridge Police managed 14 hours of traffic that was re-routed through town from exits 417 and 424. Besides their work immediately following the wreck, the Rescue Squad set up an area with food and drink to care for emergency workers, with help from Red Cross. Fire departments either helped at the scene or maintained coverage across the county by using mutual aid agreements, as well as maintaining a presence on scene until the wreckage was cleared, and manning a staging area for incoming emergency responders. The Sheriff’s Department assisted with removing victims, and managed bystanders. And all of the law enforcement agencies were instrumental in providing a safe scene, Bowen said.
“Because of the professional, organized and well-executed response of all agencies involved, tonight we would like to recognize Jefferson County’s public safety professionals, and individuals from other county organizations who were instrumental in caring for those in need,” she added.
Honored with Jefferson Countian of the Year awards were: Brad Phillips, Jefferson County EMS and EMA; Justin Crowther, Jefferson County E911; J. Ray Walker, Jefferson County Rescue Squad; ‘Bud’ McCoig, Jefferson County Sheriff’s Department; Dr. Emmett Manley, Jefferson County Medical Examiner; Colin McRae, Jefferson Memorial Hospital; Andy Riley, Dandridge Fire Department; Carson Williams and Kevin Bunch, Dandridge Police Department; Greg Gann, Dandridge Public Works; Chad Cotter, White Pine Police and White Pine Fire Departments; Bob Hardy, White Pine Public Works; Lee Turner, Jefferson City Fire Department; Ken Davis, Jefferson City Police Department; Frank Solomon, New Market Volunteer Fire Department; Joe Devotie, Lakeway Central Volunteer Fire Department; and George Owenby, Chestnut Hill Volunteer Fire Department.
Besides their outstanding response to the bus wreck, Bowen noted that the county’s emergency agencies responded more than 58,000 calls in 2013, directly touching tens of thousands of lives, and indirectly touched countless others. “If you ask any member of this special band of individuals, they would probably tell you that what they do is a calling, that running into situations that others usually run away from is just part of their job.”
The group was also honored by State Representatives Jeremy Faison and Andrew Farmer, who are having a joint resolution passed on House floor and read into history of state, honoring them for their outstanding work.
By Dale Gentry Standard Banner Editor | Posted: Tuesday, February 11, 2014.