THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, August 7, 1994 TAG: 9408050277
SECTION: CHESAPEAKE CLIPPER PAGE: 03 EDITION: FINAL
COLUMN: Town Talk
SOURCE: Eric Feber
LENGTH: Medium: 74 lines
Laura Decker of Norfolk dropped by the fire station on North Battlefield Boulevard a few weeks ago to give thanks.
She came by to thank Faye Walley, a three-year paramedic with Chesapeake Emergency Medical Service, and Dennis McGee, a five-year cardiac technician with Chesapeake EMS, for saving her son's life.
On June 4 , about midnight, Decker's 9-year-old son, Nicholas McCuller, and her 7-month-old daughter, Lydia, were involved in a serious automobile accident on Elbow Road.
Tragically, Lydia died that night. Nick would have met his little sister's fate had it not been for the quick-thinking of professional Chesapeake firefighters and paramedics.
Decker brought Nick along with her. Her son is now doing well after suffering from severe head injuries and trauma from the June 4 accident.
First Decker gave a heartfelt hug to Joe Hoefling and Richard Ramsey, the first paramedics on the scene who pulled Nick from the crushed automobile.
She then gave big tear-filled hugs to McGee and Walley, the paramedics who worked on Nick. Decker also presented the two with a inspirational plaque.
``How do you say `thank-you' to these people,'' Decker mused with moist eyes. ``They saved Nick's life. That's what the neurosurgeon at the hospital told me. Thank you is not enough, but I had to come by and at least say it. I had to!''
Decker said she made scores of calls to find out which Chesapeake fire station was responsible for saving Nick's life. She said she finally found out from one of the wrecker drivers who towed the car away from the scene of the accident.
According to shift commander R.B. Hoag, there were four paramedics, two ambulance crews and three fire engines at the accident scene.
After Hoefling, Ramsey and paramedic supervisor Heather Powell made an initial assessment of Nick, McGee and Walley went to work.
``Nick was showing bad signs,'' McGee said. ``We just did what we're trained to do, that's all. We followed set protocol. It's all part of our job.''
``Well, all I know is whoever worked on Nick, saved his life,'' Decker said. ``That's what the doctors and nurses at the hospital told me. I saw the car, and I don't see how anyone could have come out of it alive.''
``It was a well-coordinated group effort,'' Walley said.
``The guys in Engine 6 sized everything up,'' Hoag said. ``They knew help was needed, knew what to do and who to call.''
After McGee and Walley worked on Nick, the Nightingale ambulance helicopter was summoned to spirit him to Sentara Norfolk General's emergency trauma department. Nick was diagnosed as having five bruises on his brain with severe hemorrhaging.
When Nick came out of the hospital, he had to use a wheelchair for a few weeks. But now the only sign of his injuries is a patch he has to wear over one eye to build up its strength.
But Decker's expressions of appreciation touched the hearts of all the paramedics and firefighters who were on the scene.
``You wouldn't believe the people who never say `thank-you,' '' Powell said. ``This makes it very rewarding.'' The other firefighters and paramedics in attendance all nodded in agreement.
The Farm Fresh supermarket on North Battlefield Boulevard donated Cokes and a large sheet cake for the occasion, with the words ``Welcome Back, Nick'' written in icing. Everyone enjoyed the party, rescuers and survivors alike.
``So, how you feeling?'' McGee finally asked Nick.
The boy, who was lounging on the station's couch eating snacks, said, ``Fine, and thank you.''
``Anytime, buddy, anytime,'' McGee returned.
As a final reward, Nick offered McGee his most prized possession of the moment. The boy handed the paramedic a large barbecue potato chip, which McGee gulped down with gusto. by CNB