Tight Spaces
December 23, 2024
AEL first responders save patients trapped in difficult and dangerous positions
Brent Fisher and Nikki Warren have responded to enough challenging EMS calls to know when a patient is in a dangerous setting and the race against time gets tougher. That’s because it takes an additional level of skill to safely remove a patient from that urgent situation and, oftentimes, it’s only then when lifesaving care can be administered.
Fisher, an Air Evac Lifetime (AEL) paramedic and Warren, an AEL flight nurse— both based in Poplar Bluff, Missouri— understand this complexity well, especially since they experienced that very scenario in the not-so-distant past.
On one call, Fisher and Warren both responded to help a patient who was shot in the leg with a crossbow arrow during a hunting accident. When the two arrived at the scene, they had to first remove the patient out of the tree stand, which was, in itself, difficult. Once out, only then were they able to properly care for the patient, who had lost so much blood, that the individual needed three units. Then, while on the way to the hospital, the patient went into cardiac arrest. Fortunately, Fisher and Warren were able to save the patient through compressions and other lifesaving interventions.
“Brent’s extraordinary level of care is the reason that patient is alive today, fully recovered,” said Brandon Graham, operations manager, AEL Poplar Bluff, who also sang the praise of Warren, who had to use that “quick-thinking, extrication” skill in another call — this time with a patient in a motor vehicle crash. “Both patients (crossbow and vehicle crash) survived and are living testimonials to Nikki’s skill and professionalism,” said Graham.
Fisher and Warren’s courage and medical abilities, demonstrated in both of those calls, ultimately led them to be individually named as two of 33 Global Medical Response Stars of Life. The Stars of Life Awards are an annual recognition handed by American Ambulance Association to honor the best of the best in the EMS industry.
Both Fisher and Warren say they’re grateful to receive the honor, which they say only highlights the love they both have for the work they do and the neighborhoods they call home.
“We serve a mostly rural area, and, in many cases, our air ambulances are the only lifeline to critical care that the people in our community have,” said Fisher. “We serve them with a lot of pride and a high sense of duty that we don’t expect much recognition for.”
Warren agrees.
“I’ve been working in EMS for five years and I love the profession more and more each day and every patient interaction is a chance to serve my community and give back,” she said. “So, to be recognized as a Star of Life is humbling and makes me want to continue on this journey of service, care and education.”
Fisher, an Air Evac Lifetime (AEL) paramedic and Warren, an AEL flight nurse— both based in Poplar Bluff, Missouri— understand this complexity well, especially since they experienced that very scenario in the not-so-distant past.
On one call, Fisher and Warren both responded to help a patient who was shot in the leg with a crossbow arrow during a hunting accident. When the two arrived at the scene, they had to first remove the patient out of the tree stand, which was, in itself, difficult. Once out, only then were they able to properly care for the patient, who had lost so much blood, that the individual needed three units. Then, while on the way to the hospital, the patient went into cardiac arrest. Fortunately, Fisher and Warren were able to save the patient through compressions and other lifesaving interventions.
“Brent’s extraordinary level of care is the reason that patient is alive today, fully recovered,” said Brandon Graham, operations manager, AEL Poplar Bluff, who also sang the praise of Warren, who had to use that “quick-thinking, extrication” skill in another call — this time with a patient in a motor vehicle crash. “Both patients (crossbow and vehicle crash) survived and are living testimonials to Nikki’s skill and professionalism,” said Graham.
Fisher and Warren’s courage and medical abilities, demonstrated in both of those calls, ultimately led them to be individually named as two of 33 Global Medical Response Stars of Life. The Stars of Life Awards are an annual recognition handed by American Ambulance Association to honor the best of the best in the EMS industry.
Both Fisher and Warren say they’re grateful to receive the honor, which they say only highlights the love they both have for the work they do and the neighborhoods they call home.
“We serve a mostly rural area, and, in many cases, our air ambulances are the only lifeline to critical care that the people in our community have,” said Fisher. “We serve them with a lot of pride and a high sense of duty that we don’t expect much recognition for.”
Warren agrees.
“I’ve been working in EMS for five years and I love the profession more and more each day and every patient interaction is a chance to serve my community and give back,” she said. “So, to be recognized as a Star of Life is humbling and makes me want to continue on this journey of service, care and education.”
