VFW Firefighter and Paramedic of the Year Recognized

A pair of Prince George’s County Firefighter/Medics were recently were bestowed with awards and distinctions by the Tri-County area Veterans of Foreign War (VFW).  Local VFW’s nominated John A. Bowman and Kacie E. Hayter for their a actions during a childbirth. The Fire/EMS Department and Prince George’s Hospital Center had previously recognized the pair for Excellence in providing Emergency Medical Care for the same incident.  The VFW Tri-County area consists of Southern Prince George’s, Calvert and Charles County.
 
Fire Chief Marc Bashoor was in attendance at the regional award ceremony held on Sunday, January 5th at the Pax River VFW Post 2632.  “I take great pride in seeing our Firefighters and Medics recognized by fraternal organizations such as the Veterans of Foreign Wars  This was a unique incident and one rarely seen performed successfully in our line of work,” said Bashoor.
 
The pair were recognized for their actions on Saturday, February 9, 2013, when Bowman and Hayter were crewmembers on board the Paramedic Unit from Fire/EMS Station 830, Landover Hills that was dispatched to a home on 58th Place in Cheverly, for a report of a female in labor.  During the patient assessment, the crew observed an umbilical cord presentation without any sign of birth.  The cord presented blue in color, indicating there was no blood getting to the baby from the mother.  If this child was going to survive, it was imperative that something be done quickly.   Paramedic Hayter placed her hand into the birth canal to alleviate pressure on the umbilical cord.  The cord became pink and a pulse was felt indicating the baby was now receiving blood.  Bowman contacted Prince George’s Hospital Center, advising them of the severity of the situation and alerting them to prepare a delivery room.
 
Immediately upon arriving at the hospital, the patient was assessed and without delay taken to Labor and Delivery.  A physician determined that Hayter must accompany the patient into the Operating Room, where an emergency Cesarean Section would be performed.  Her hand remained in place, keeping pressure off the umbilical cord until the baby was delivered.  After a week in the hospital, the healthy baby girl, delivered at 36 weeks gestation, was discharged into the care of her parents.   
 
After considering all nominees for the prestigious awards the Tri-County VFW named John A. Bowman as Firefighter of the Year and Kacie E. Hayter as the Paramedic of the Year for 2013.  Bowman and Hayter also were recognized as
 the Local and District Level VFW Fire Fighter and Paramedic of the Year.
 
Both Bowman and Hayter will now be considered by the VFW at the State and National levels for their respective categories.  They will be up against other nominees from throughout the State of Maryland and the USA.