DeKalb EMS was recognized with an award last week for their response to serious car crash over two years ago. During the hectic incident, EMS crews treated 10 people at the same time, including several children. For their efforts the service was awarded the Region IV “Call of the Year Award” from the Upper Cumberland EMS Directors Association.
On Wednesday, September 4, 2019, at 8:03 p.m., EMS was dispatched to the scene of a two-vehicle crash at the intersection of Highway 56 south and Joe Tittsworth Road in Smithville. There, three adults and seven children were injured in the accident. Members of the Smithville Police and Fire Departments also responded.
According to Tennessee Highway Patrol Trooper Bobby Johnson 52-year-old Franklin Elliott of Smithville was driving north on Highway 56 in a 2005 Chrysler Town and Country minivan. As Elliott turned left onto Joe Tittsworth Road, he crossed the path of a southbound 2016 Kia Soul driven by 37-year-old Margaret Pedigo of McMinnville. Authorities say the Kia did not have its headlights on at the time.
Elliott and a passenger, 34-year-old Jessica Farris of Smithville, were taken by private vehicle to Saint Thomas DeKalb Hospital. Four children in the vehicle, including a 14-year-old girl, 16-year-old boy, eight-year-old girl, and a 12-year-old boy, were also injured and taken to the hospital by ambulances.
There were also three children in the vehicle with Pedigo, including a 13-year-old boy, nine-year-old boy, and 12-year-old boy. Pedigo and two of the children were airlifted to Vanderbilt Medical Center, while the other child was transported by EMS to Cookeville Regional Medical Center, where he was later airlifted.
A landing zone for three helicopters including Air Evac, Erlanger Life Force, and Vanderbilt Life Flight was set up on Highway 56 near the crash scene. DeKalb EMS responded with four ambulances and received mutual aid support from Putnam County EMS, which sent two ambulances.
DeKalb EMS was presented an award for their efforts during the crash at the association’s annual fall symposium, held on Tuesday, October 5 in Cookeville. Those receiving the award for the DeKalb EMS were staff members that were on the call including Kristie Johnson, Director Hoyte Hale, Trevin Merriman, Trent Phipps, Becky Atnip, and Justin Thompson. Others named in the award, but not on hand for the presentation, were Stephanie Brown, Daniel Summers, Rachel Chechi, and John Poss.
“I am proud of these employees who were nominated and received this award, but I am equally proud of all other members of my staff as well, said Director Hale. “DeKalb County can take pride in our EMS staff who work hard and are dedicated to their job of taking care of others. With the changing protocols and demands placed on them due to the COVID pandemic, our staff has and will continue to meet the challenges with courage and professionalism.”
Also at the fall symposium, DeKalb EMS employee Heather Billings was named the Upper Cumberland EMS Directors Association’s Region IV “Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) of the Year.” She had been nominated by DeKalb EMS Director Hale.
Nominees for the honor must be a current Tennessee licensed emergency medical technician or paramedic employed by or who volunteers for a Region IV ground or air service, and they must exhibit professional qualities expected in this venue. Their contributions should go above and beyond whether it be in their clinical skill set or in actions that have affected the community or someone in a positive way.
“Nearly two years ago Heather decided to come to my office in search of a job,” Director Hale said. “She had just completed the Advanced Emergency Medical Technicians (AEMT) course and was in the process of attempting to achieve her National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT). It just so happened I had a position on our day truck open and she accepted it. Since that time, I have come to know and respect Heather professionally and personally. She is reliable, does her job, and never complains. Heather has a genuine compassion for others and she shows it in the care she delivers to patients. In today’s world these qualities are hard to find. I am recommending Heather for this honor,” Director Hale concluded.
Also at the event, Kimberly Johnson, of Cannon County EMS was named the Paramedic of the Year by the Upper Cumberland EMS Directors Association, and EMT Jennifer Duke was named EMT of the year.
The Upper Cumberland EMS Directors Association consists of the directors from the primary 911 ground ambulance services and base managers of the air medical companies in the 14 county Upper Cumberland region.
Tennessee EMS Region IV comprises Cannon, Clay, Cumberland, DeKalb, Fentress, Jackson, Macon, Overton, Pickett, Putnam, Smith, Van Buren, Warren, and White County. Air Evac, Lifeforce, and Life Flight represent the three air medical services in the region.
