Public Safety Employee of the Month

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March 2021 - Fire Team

Steve Behan

Adam Schwartz

Dan Schulkey

Dave Pieknik

Scott Perry

Pat Deneau

For your heroic life-saving efforts extricating a severely injured driver on March 1, 2021. Congratulations on your selection as the March Novi Public Safety Employees of the Month.

Novi Fire was dispatched to a reported 5 vehicle accident on East-bound I-96 East of Beck Road, with reports of one person trapped. The occupant was conscious and breathing. The occupant had significant intrusion of the steering wheel and dashboard pinning her in the vehicle. FPO Pieknik was in contact and had patient care with the driver pinned in the pickup throughout the incident. Extrication equipment was staged for the rescue. Due to the amount of damage to the driver's side, the first extrication attempts were concentrated on the passenger side and the ram was used to do a dash roll. The dash was lifted, however, did not give any relief to the occupant and the decision was made to leave that ram in place. To provide more working room it was decided to fold the roof both A-pillars and the passenger's side B pillar were cut and the roof was creased with an axe. Folding the roof back proved difficult due to the position of the trailer attached to the vehicle. The crew continued to work on lifting the dash. This was extremely difficult due to the second ram being unable to gain a purchase point. It was decided to attack the steering column using tow straps to rachet the column up. The first attempt was done on the driver's side and abandoned after it created pressure on the occupant's legs. The tow strap was moved to the passenger side and managed to create a little lift in conjunction with the spreader under the passenger dash. This had to be abandoned due to pressure again on the occupant's legs. FPO Perry had spoken with Hadley's towing crew that was on scene with their heavy wrecker rotator truck, and the decision was made to use their rotator and chain on the driver's side firewall and frame components. This operation was begun with Hadley's very slowly pulling the driver's side dash up and out. This did create enough room to lift the female out onto a backboard and remove her to the awaiting Superior cot. It was noted the patient had an open femur fracture of the left leg. The patient was placed on the Superior cot and transported to Ascension Providence Park Hospital Novi Campus. This was one of, if not, the toughest extrications this team, or any Novi Fire Team, has ever been a part of, and all of you worked together in an extremely difficult situation. If not for the hard work and collective knowledge of everyone involved, the outcome for the patient may have been drastically different.

You are recognized for your dedication to your profession and your exceptional work under the most trying of circumstances. You embody teamwork, initiative, and professionalism.

Public Safety Employee of the Month

March 2021 - Fire Team

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