Airmen use life saving skills in response to local accident

  • Published
  • By Tyler Hemstreet
  • 62nd Airlift Wing Public Affairs
MCCHORD AIR FORCE BASE, Wash. --  Two Team McChord Airmen are being hailed as heroes for their role in responding to an automobile accident near Fort Lewis involving two family members. 

Staff Sgt. Brianna Haley, 62nd Force Support Squadron and 1st Lt. Franklin Sevey, 313th Airlift Squadron, were two of the first people on the scene of a single-car accident Aug. 21 on Rainier Gate Road. 

The occupants, twin sisters working as summer hires in the 62nd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, were trapped in the car after careening off the road and striking a tree. The driver of the car had a deep cut on the side of her face and was pinned in the car while the passenger had a weak pulse and was unconscious. 

Sergeant Haley tended to the driver while Lieutenant Sevey did his best to stir the passenger. 

"We were just trying to keep them from moving," Sergeant Haley said. "I was just asking her questions to keep her alert and telling her everything was going to be OK." 

Throughout the incident, Sergeant Haley was recalling her Self Aid and Buddy Care training to walk her through the on-scene treatment. 

"When you're taking the class, you don't think you're ever going to use it or remember it, but you do," she said. 

Lieutenant Sevey also utilized his SABC training while attending to the passenger, who was unresponsive. 

"My first thought was to see if she was breathing," he said. 

After confirming a pulse, Lieutenant Sevey gently adjusted her so she could breathe easier. 

"I wanted to keep her where she was, but I lifted up her neck so she could breathe a little easier," he said. 

The two Airmen were able to stabilize the victims until paramedics arrived. The driver ended up with a broken femur, a major head laceration, a broken hand, foot and a major concussion. The passenger had a major concussion and minor scrapes and bruises. Both were cognizant and aware at the emergency room. 

"Every second Brianna and the lieutenant spent with them at the scene was critical to their health, well-being and recovery," said Mr. Jim Dicus, the sisters' father and 62nd FSS community services flight chief. 

Sergeant Haley never thought twice about stopping to help. 

"I just did what I would want anybody else to do for me or my family members," she said. 

"I think anybody would have helped had they come across a similar scene," the
lieutenant said. 

"This truly is 'I will not leave an Airman behind' in action," said Master Sgt. Chris Almeria, 62nd FSS first sergeant. 

Both sisters are expected to make a full recovery.
 
"The support our family has received has been tremendous," said Mr. Dicus, who was overwhelmed by the number of AMXS personnel who visited Madigan Army Medical Center to see how his daughters were doing. 

"When you talk about Team McChord ... there really is a true meaning to that."