Havre Firefighters named Firefighter/EMT of the Year

Three Havre firefighters have received a top award from Montana from Veterans of Foreign Wars.

The B-shift on duty Dec. 8 all were presented the state Firefighter/EMT of the Year Award last week and recognized at Monday's Havre City Council meeting, for saving the life of a Havre resident that night.

The Havre Fire Department nominated Captain DJ Olson and Driver/Operators Nate Rismon and Braden Dieziger for Firefighter/EMT of the Year. T

The Firefighter/EMT of the Year award is a Veteran's of Foreign Wars award given to firefighters and EMT's who go above and beyond.

The three responded to a call that night when Leroy George was reported unresponsive and unbreathing, Havre Fire Chief Nathan Courtnage said in his nomination letter.

His son had started doing CPR until Havre police arrived, and once the EMTS arrived they continued doing CPR while moving him to the ambulance for transport to the hospital, then shocked him once his heart went into a shockable rhythm. Upon arrival at the hospital he had regained his pulse, and emergency efforts continued at Northern Montana Hospital until he could be stabilized and transported to Benefis Hospital in Great Falls.

He was cared for in the ICU at Benefis, monitored and receiving care for his recovery.

"As firefighters/EMTs we do extensive training for this exact scenario," Courtnage wrote. "The swift actions and competency of these individuals directly changed the outcome of this man's life and gave him the opportunity to spend more time with his family and friends."

George's wife, Gayla, described the scene and actions of the EMTS in a letter, talking about some 15 minutes they worked on him in the house and how they got his pulse going again in the ambulance.

"The Great Falls ICU doctor also said even did everything right and that, usually, when they have to do CPR that long, the outcome is very different. But my husband made it," she wrote. "The EMTs did the CPR that was needed to save his life and never gave up. So, THANK YOU, THANK YOU THANK YOU!"

The VFW recognizes the importance of those individuals who perform the selfless duties of public servants for our communities. Each year, one is selected, or in this case three were selected. These individuals set themselves apart. The criterion for these selections is difficult and demanding.

They must be recognized by their colleagues or those they serve. They must demonstrate excellence in the performance of their duties, as well as show a continuous growth in responsibilities and skills within their profession.