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Tag: WA

Daniel Yandell

Written by Aaron Director on . Posted in Uncategorized.

What started as a quick lunch for Daniel Yandell and his partner turned into a heartfelt and perhaps lifesaving encounter with a fellow restaurant patron. Daniel and his partner were waiting for their food inside a fast-food restaurant when a man approached them, telling them he was experiencing mental health challenges and suicidal ideation. Daniel sat and talked with the individual, listening, empathizing, and eventually trying to connect the person with resources that could assist.

The dialogue between Daniel and the individual proved to be extremely effective, so much so that the person would go on to request ambulance transport to a hospital for further help. The kindness and empathy that Daniel and his partner showed the patient changed his mind about ending his life and guided him to get help instead.

Daniel and his partner saved a life, over lunch, by simply listening.

Jacob Ambach

Written by Aaron Director on . Posted in Uncategorized.

Jacob Ambach saved the lives of five patients who suffered cardiac arrests last year. If it were not for Jacob’s collaboration with the local teams that were at the scenes of those incidents, the patients likely would not have survived.

In addition, Jacob has assumed leadership over his local operation’s Special Pathogen Transport team, which works directly with the Region 10 Special Pathogen Treatment Center. The team serves as the primary transport crew for all the Special Pathogens patients coming into the region. This includes helping care for the first COVID-19 patients diagnosed in the State of Washington.

A resolute EMS professional, Jacob believes many of the issues faced by the communities he serves can be solved through education and good communication. He is living proof of this principle given the obstacles he has overcome in his own life, including learning disabilities.

In every challenge he faces, Jacob remains steadfast, never allowing his setbacks to slow him down from becoming a trustworthy and accomplished Paramedic.

Darrell Stanley

Written by Aaron Director on . Posted in Uncategorized.

Darrell Stanley is approaching his 22nd anniversary serving his community at Olympic Ambulance. Throughout his tenure, Darrell has excelled in many roles in the organization. He has proudly led his colleagues as Duty Officer for his shift since 2015.

As an experienced Field Training Officer, Darrell is a State Emergency System Evaluator and has been key to the initial education of development of local EMTs. Darrell’s vast experience and knowledge make him an important element of Olympic’s continued success. Darrell also lends his many talents to the EMS high-risk infection team in the state of Washington.

Throughout Darrell’s time with Olympic Ambulance, he has provided quality patient care while simultaneously going above and beyond to work across departments and divisions to achieve our shared goals. Olympic is proud to honor Darrell Stanley as a 2023 Star of Life.

James Burn

Written by Aaron Director on . Posted in Uncategorized.

James Burn is being honored as a Star of Life for his compassion and bravery in two cases: one where his own life was at risk and another where others were in danger.

The first incident happened when James coaxed a man who was trying to kill himself back to safety. The man had doused himself with gasoline and anchored himself above a highway overpass before James persuaded him to receive help. And then, about two weeks later, he extricated an incapacitated individual from a vehicle that posed an immediate threat to others on a major freeway. In both cases, James deflected praise to others for the favorable outcomes of those incidents; however, it was James’s courage and actions in both instances that resulted in the positive end results.

James, who has been with AMR since January 2020, had previously served in a law enforcement capacity as a Washington State Trooper. He is a true servant-leader and demonstrates a commitment to his job and community, even when a situation puts his own life at risk. James never wants to take credit for all the good he has done, but would rather give the credit to his teammates. He is a role model and an example of integrity in the workplace.

 

Katie Smith

Written by Aaron Director on . Posted in Uncategorized.

Katie Smith has been a Paramedic at AMR for eight years and serves as a Supervisor, Field Training Officer, and part-time Fire Medic. However, last Thanksgiving her skills and management abilities were put to the test.

The day started out normally. Katie spent time with her family and delivered a holiday meal for on-duty team members. But then a multi-vehicle accident was called in. One of the vehicles was a bus filled with college students that had rolled over. Katie dropped everything to respond. During her hour-long drive to the remote scene, Katie coordinated responding units from several different jurisdictions. Under Katie’s incident command, enough resources were secured to transport 45 patients to local hospitals. Katie also helped coordinate a warm place for the walking wounded to shelter from the snow and receive care.  

As a trainer and mentor, Katie plays a huge role in molding the next generation of EMS professionals. Her expertise and dedication to her team, patients, and community are remarkable. 

 

Eric Forsythe

Written by Aaron Director on . Posted in Uncategorized.

On the afternoon of January 29, 2018, Eric, a 15-year veteran, was running some errands while off-duty. After turning off a local Interstate, Eric noticed a teenage boy on the overpass standing on top of the Jersey barrier staring at the freeway below.

That’s when Eric’s instincts kicked in. Eric pulled his car over and cautiously approached the young man. Eric used all his training and experience to persuade the young boy not to jump. After some careful negotiation, Eric was able to gain the boy’s trust and convinced the boy to step away from the edge. When the police arrived, Eric learned the boy had been reported missing for the last 24-36 hours.

The Chief of the Lakewood Police Department presented Eric with their Life Saving Award for his heroic actions on this day. Eric is truly a caregiver willing to go above and beyond for the community he serves, and is a perfect example of what it means to be a Star of Life.

 

Tris Gibbons

Written by Aaron Director on . Posted in Uncategorized.

Not only is Tris a positive role model, instructor and mentor, she is also a compassionate and dedicated clinician. Whether holding a hand, wiping away a tear, or comforting a patient, Tris starts each shift with one goal—to make a difference, one patient at a time. In addition to her role as EMT and Field Training Officer, Tris is a volunteer field team member with the King County Search and Rescue, an organization that performs more than 100 urban and rural rescue missions each year. Tris’s passion for EMS and relentless commitment to her profession, community, and the patients she serves are some of the many reasons why she has been selected as a Star of Life.