NORTHAMPTON – Seth Isman of Hadley did not know who rescued him from a horrific head-on collision in Cummington last August. Nor did he remember any details of his ordeal. But this week he got to meet the men and women who risked their lives to save his.
That happened Thursday at the Hampshire County Emergency Services awards dinner. Held annually, the event acknowledges the quick thinking, skill and bravery of police, fire, EMS personnel and bystanders who participated in heroic rescues from life-threatening situations.
This year’s honorees included individuals from the Cummington Fire Department, Easthampton Police and Fire, Goshen Fire, Highland Ambulance, Northampton Police and Fire, Pioneer Valley EMS, Plainfield Police and Fire, Williamsburg Fire, and Westhampton Fire, as well as two bystanders.
The incidents for which responders were recognized ranged from one fatal and several nearly fatal cardiac arrests to a serious motorcycle accident on North King Street in Northampton in September, which amputated the leg of the rider when her motorcycle was struck by a vehicle and forced underneath a pickup truck.
While presenting the awards, Hampshire County Medical Director Dr. R.F. Conway said the accident involving Isman was the most severe and complex, requiring fast and seamless teamwork on the part of those responding.
“This was a multi-department response with an incredible save and an incredible outcome,” Conway said.
Isman lay trapped inside his car bleeding profusely from a severe head injury. Personnel from Cummington, Plainfield, Goshen, Westhampton and Highland Ambulance, as well as a bystander who was a registered nurse, all worked to extricate him from the vehicle, which had begun to roll backwards down an embankment.
Meanwhile, gasoline was quickly pooling at their feet.
Isman’s wife, Erika Hollister, said her husband was driving a Prius that collided with a large truck full of hay and hauling a trailer. Isman suffered a skull fracture, two spinal fractures, 13 broken ribs, a burst bladder and damage to his abdominal walls. While he did not remember anything from the accident, he and his family heard details Thursday about the coordinated effort it took to save his life.
“We are so grateful for what all of these people did,” Hollister said. “Because of the firefighters, the EMTs, and the helicopter crew, he made it to surgery within two hours.”
According to Cummington Fire Chief Bernie Forgea, having the accident victims attend the dinner is unusual. “It’s rare that the victims attend this event, and unheard of to have family members come, especially from other parts of the country,” Forgea said. “This is a real tribute.”
Isman’s children – Gaberial Isman, 24, of San Francisco, Margot Isman, 30, of Minnesota, and Georgia Hollister Isman, 34, of Boston – all came to honor those who rescued their dad.
“It isn’t every day that you get to thank the people that saved your father’s life,” Margot Isman said. Northwestern District Attorney David E. Sullivan called the honorees “the heart and soul of the community racing to save us in our hour of need.”
Sullivan said that unlike entertainers and sports figures, who may be idolized by the public, first responders are frequently taken for granted. But they deserve the public’s respect and admiration.
“To save a life is the ultimate gift that you can give another human being,” Sullivan said. “You are my heroes.”
State Rep. Stephen Kulik, D-Worthington, said the event recognizes important work, much of it by volunteers. “In this region, people can rely on good response time, and quality care and we are very fortunate to have people willing to serve like this.”
John Gariepy, president of Hampshire County EMS, praised all of those gathered, saying they were like “one big family.”
“These are some of the finest people I have ever worked with in my career,” Gariepy said.
Awards were presented for responses to seven incidents. Among the honorees:
Cummington Fire Department — Assistant Chief Stephen Emerson, Firefighter Martha Emerson, EMT, Firefighter Conrad Liebenow, Firefighter Susan Forgea, EMT, Firefighter Adam Dragon, Lt. Robert Dextraze, Firefighter William Connell, Lt. Robert Ely, Firefighter Austin Savoie.
Easthampton Fire Department — Capt. Kevin Benson, EMT-P, Firefighter Shawn O’Leary, EMT.
Easthampton Police Department — Officer William Mielke.
Goshen Fire Department — Capt. Monica Neveu, Firefighter Mark George, Firefighter Cam Lacey, Firefighter Erika Roberts, Firefighter Dale Gougeon.
Highland Ambulance — Keith Cotnoir, EMT, Kim Dresser, EMT, Jacob Niquette, EMT, Randall Cushing, EMT-P, Trevor Meservey, EMT, Jonathan Schwaiger, EMT-P.
Northampton — Police and Fire Sgt. Joseph Golec, Officer Benjamin Beaver, Officer Scott Gregory, Firefighter Joshua Coates, EMT-P, Firefighter Dennis Nazzaro, EMT, Firefighter William Dawkins, Capt. Andrew Breen, Firefighter Brett Gauger, EMT-I, Firefighter Hector Soto, EMT-I, Firefighter Robert Tomaskowicz, Firefighter Daniel Galica, Firefighter Jonathan Van’t Land, EMT-P, Firefighter Michael Hatch, EMT-P, Firefighter Daryl Springman, EMT, Firefighter Keith Healy, Firefighter Matthew Marchand, EMT-P, Firefighter Benjamin Snape, EMT-P.
Pioneer Valley EMS — Tamika Rose, EMT-P, Jonathan Smith, EMT-P.
Plainfield Police and Fire – Police Chief Stacy Hudson, EMT, Fire Chief Dennis Thatcher, Firefighter Ellen Dupont, Firefighter Merton Taylor, Firefighter Matthew Hathaway, Firefighter Tyler Shearer, EMT, Firefighter Claude Dupont, Firefighter Brian Hawthorne, Firefighter Jamie Woolridge.
Westhampton Fire Department — Chief Christopher Norris, EMT
Williamsburg Fire Department — Chief Jason Connell, Firefighter Bart Casey, Firefighter Amanda Flechsig, Firefighter Robert Lapointe, Firefighter Daryl Springman, EMT.
Liebenow’s Towing and traffic assistance — Dylan Dextraze, Kathrine Taylor.
UMass Police Officer Mark Whelihan.
Bystanders — Karen Strassell, RN, Berkshire Medical Center, John Pipiras, Vietnam War veteran.