It is my pleasure to honor a local fireman in my blog today. This firefighter's action, along with help from two truck drivers, saved a man's life, and probably prevented a multi-fatality accident as well.
Captain Bryan Chatwell, Midland Fire Department, received the Medal of Valor earlier this month at that fire department's employee banquet. The Medal of Valor is the fire department's second highest honor, and is presented to a firefighter who risks his life to protect or save another.
In July, Captain Chatwell, while off-duty, was driving on a highway in the Midland area when he noticed that the pickup travelling in front of him was being driven erratically, sometimes straddling the lane markers. Captain Chatwell carefully passed the vehicle but was still concerned about it. As he watched the pickup in his rear view mirror, Captain Chatwell saw the vehicle drive into the oncoming traffic lanes then stop. Captain Chatwell drove back to where the vehicle was stopped.
As Captain Chatwell walked over to the driver's window, he recognized the driver. Chatwell had treated the man for diabetic complications on a previous occasion. The pickup's engine was still running but the doors were locked. The man drove slowly away at this time, with Captain Chatwell running along side trying to get the man to stop.
At this point, two tractor-trailer rigs were approaching the pickup, which was driving on the wrong side of the highway. The operators of the big rigs took in the situation immediately. They positioned their trucks so that the pickup had to stop. Captain Chatwell obtained a hammer from one of the drivers and knocked out the driver's window of the pickup. He was able to turn off the pickup's engine. The firefighter then provided first aid to the man until an ambulance arrived. Not only was the pickup driver saved, but in all probability a major accident was avoided as well.
So I salute Captain Bryan Chatwell for his bravery and quick-thinking that saved at least one life. Also a big thank you to the two anonymous (to me anyway) truck drivers who stepped up when they were needed, and assisted Captain Chatwell.
Captain Bryan Chatwell, Midland Fire Department, received the Medal of Valor earlier this month at that fire department's employee banquet. The Medal of Valor is the fire department's second highest honor, and is presented to a firefighter who risks his life to protect or save another.
In July, Captain Chatwell, while off-duty, was driving on a highway in the Midland area when he noticed that the pickup travelling in front of him was being driven erratically, sometimes straddling the lane markers. Captain Chatwell carefully passed the vehicle but was still concerned about it. As he watched the pickup in his rear view mirror, Captain Chatwell saw the vehicle drive into the oncoming traffic lanes then stop. Captain Chatwell drove back to where the vehicle was stopped.
As Captain Chatwell walked over to the driver's window, he recognized the driver. Chatwell had treated the man for diabetic complications on a previous occasion. The pickup's engine was still running but the doors were locked. The man drove slowly away at this time, with Captain Chatwell running along side trying to get the man to stop.
At this point, two tractor-trailer rigs were approaching the pickup, which was driving on the wrong side of the highway. The operators of the big rigs took in the situation immediately. They positioned their trucks so that the pickup had to stop. Captain Chatwell obtained a hammer from one of the drivers and knocked out the driver's window of the pickup. He was able to turn off the pickup's engine. The firefighter then provided first aid to the man until an ambulance arrived. Not only was the pickup driver saved, but in all probability a major accident was avoided as well.
So I salute Captain Bryan Chatwell for his bravery and quick-thinking that saved at least one life. Also a big thank you to the two anonymous (to me anyway) truck drivers who stepped up when they were needed, and assisted Captain Chatwell.
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