Volunteers learn how to save a life

Emergency workers in Echo hoisted Dawn Peters onto a stretcher Saturday and lifted her into a helicopter.

Peters, a reserve deputy for the Dale County Sheriff’s Office, helped during a demonstration at a first responder certification class at the Echo Community Center. Peters was one of about 18 people who worked toward the completion of the 40-hour certification. Men and women from the Echo Volunteer and Rescue unit, Dale County Sheriff’s Office and Dale County Forestry Service attended the class.

Peters, who played victim for a few minutes, helped a crew from Air Evac Lifeteam show how they would pick up and treat a patient during an emergency.
“That’s the first time I’ve ever been on a stretcher,” Peters said.

Peters said she hoped to learn the skills to help people in an emergency, including the Mabsom community where she calls home. 

“I live in a small community, and anything can happen,” Peters said. “It’s just to be able to serve and protect and help others in need. It’s to be able to save someone’s life.”

Dusty Trawick, instructor of the class, who also serves as a Dothan firefighter and paramedic, said part of Saturday’s class included showing the students how people are transported to a hospital in an emergency.

“As a first responder, we can get help quicker and a better outcome for our patient,” Trawick said. 

Trawick explained the equipment inside an ambulance. Trent Kemp, the pilot of the Air Evac Lifeteam helicopter, spoke to the class along with the flight’s nurse, Jennifer Cothron, and paramedic, Mike Holton. Kemp said the company offers a membership program to organizations and area residents.

“We go out to rural areas away from the metropolitan areas,” Kemp said.

Kemp said it took them about 52 minutes to fly to Echo Saturday from their Wetumpka headquarters about 77 miles away.

Trawick said an emergency helicopter based in the Wiregrass and tri-state area would dramatically speed the time it takes to get care and treatment to a patient.

Eric Blankenship, the assistant Echo Fire and Rescue chief, said aside from Air Evac Lifeteam there is one other helicopter that typically responds the Wiregrass area, which comes out of Marianna, Fla. He also said occasionally an emergency helicopter can be called from Fort Rucker.

“We can go ahead and get on the scene and assess the patient and provide medical treatment for the patient,” said Blankenship. “The more knowledge we have, the better off we are to assist the community.”