| It was May 3, 2012 around 5:18 in the evening when the tones dropped for Station 9 (California) to respond to an injured child at 22475 Rison Road in the Town Creek subdivision. Well when the firefighters are sitting around the station and they hear that type of call come over the radio the blood gets pumping and the mind racing to get there as quickly as possible.
When Rescue Engine 92 went on the air responding to the call they were further advised that a child has his leg caught in a bike. The driver was old timer Les Hansen with Sgt. Tom Hoctor riding the right front seat as the officer in charge. Also on the Rescue Engine was Firefighters Duncan, Martoni,Gatton and Steen.
I think that the officer may have thought hopefully it is just a child with his pant leg caught in the chain. You hope that this will be that simple but you that know the fire and rescue service can always throw you for a loop so you had better be prepared. Well good thing there was an excellent crew and officer on the engine because when they arrived they found quite a surprise.
It was a young boy of about 9 or 10 who somehow had gotten his leg caught between the frame and sprocket of the bike and was in extreme pain. A little blood justs adds to the situation and there was a little of that there to.
Getting a handle on the situation at hand the officer called for the chain and frame cutters to cut the bike away from the young fellow. Firefighter Duncan manned the tool and made quick work of that trusty old bike. The young man was turned over to waiting Lexington Park Rescue Squad personnel who treated the leg and transported to St. Mary's Hospital. Turns out the injury was not serious and he was treated and released only to come back home to a bike that had been destroyed by the efforts of the firefighters getting his leg out.
Now when the guys got back to the station I know that they were thinking not only about how the young man was but also the fact that the bike was destroyed so it was kind of a double whammy. Firefighters have big hearts and there were soon phone calls made to our Fire Chief Shawn Downs and our President Wayne Johnson about what could we do for this little guy. There was no hesitation on the part of the Chief or President it was decided that we would take some of our special account money that is raised during the year and get this fellow a new bike.
This is where I came into the picture as Deputy Chief 9 Warren called me at home and asked me to come down and assist with the presentation to the young man. I thought sure I could do that so he went to the store with a bike size and I went to the station to round up a crew of guys to go over and present the bike. This is where it get's interesting. When the Deputy Chief and I arrived at the little boys house with the bike on the engine there was plenty of kids out playing in the yard of the residence. I went over and introduced myself and told the Mother just what we were going to do and was the young man at home. Well this was not his home but his cousin's and the bike was her's. I told Mom to get her to come out because we had something for her. She came out of the house and kind of laid back behind Mom and I went over and talked to her and asked her if she missed her bike. You could tell by the look in her eyes that she sure did so without anything further the guys brought out the new set of wheels. She was in love and the tears of joy from Mom made it all worthwhile.
This is what make's our job wonderful in helping people in all kinds of ways and we all went away from there lights and siren to the joy of all the kids and grown-ups alike,
Now let me close in saying don't any of you get any idea's about running your car or truck into a ditch in hopes we will buy you a new one. LOL
Douglas L. Medley
Public Information Officer
Bay District Volunteer Fire Department
**Photos Courtesy of Southern Maryland News Net** |
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