Chehalis firefighter Adam Miller was awarded an Exceptional Service Medal during Monday’s Chehalis City Council meeting for providing aid to a motorcycle crash victim while off duty last summer.
On June 29, a collision occurred between a motorcycle and a deer near Salzer Creek, Chehalis Fire Chief Adam Fulbright told the council. Miller was with his family at the time.
“Firefighter Miller was first on scene, having been just down the road at the time of the call,” Fulbright said. “On arrival, he promptly began trauma care, directing a retired firefighter to hold C-spine while he removed the patient’s clothing and performed a rapid trauma assessment, gathering critical information and treating the patient.”
When ambulance personnel arrived at the scene, he provided them with the information and assessment he had made. The rider’s injuries were so severe they required medical transport in a helicopter, which Miller also assisted with.
“He continued to aid (American Medical Response) to the landing zone by driving the medic unit to the landing zone, where he also helped transfer the patient to the helicopter,” Fulbright said.
Following that, Miller helped clean up the ambulance so it could quickly return to service.
“It is with great pleasure that the Chehalis Fire Department awards Firefighter Adam Miller an Exceptional Service Medal for his continued commitment and dedication to community service and patient care,” Fulbright said.
Along with the award ceremony, Chehalis Mayor Tony Ketchum also made a proclamation, declaring the week of Oct. 8 to Oct. 14 Fire Prevention Week. House fires are a safety concern across the U.S. and caused 2,800 deaths nationwide in 2021, according to the National Fire Protection Association, Ketchum stated. The majority of house fires start in the kitchen, and Ketchum stressed using safe cooking methods.
Whether it be turning pot handles toward the back of the stove, keeping lids handy when cooking and keeping kids at least 3 feet away from kitchen cooking appliances, Ketchum urged Chehalis residents to be vigilant when cooking.
“Cooking safely starts with you. Pay attention to fire prevention … Stay alert and use caution when cooking to reduce the risk of kitchen fires,” Ketchum said.
Founded in 1896, the National Fire Protection Association is a nonprofit that aims to eliminate deaths, injuries and property loss due to fires, electrical hazards or other related dangers. For more information, visit https://www.nfpa.org/.
