On March 2 a structure fire was reported at a home on Amyx Street, with a handicapped man located at the back door but unable to get out. West Plains Assistant Fire Chief Chris Sterner and Police Chief Stephen Monticelli presented the awards. West Plains Police Lt. Brandon Stephens arrived on the scene and was able to pull the man onto the porch from the doorway amid heavy fire and smoke, and oxygen tanks exploding inside the house. Fire Lt. Wayne Cormier then arrived and together they were able to pick up and move the victim to safety.
"The rapid response and valor of Cpl. Stephens and Lt. Cormier demonstrate teamwork in removing the victim to safety and saving his life," Sterner said. "Cpl. Stephens and Lt. Cormier's quick actions truly exemplify service before self and neighbors saving neighbors. Your bravery and heroic actions are appreciated and respected by all."
A second round of awards was presented by Fire Chief Kurt Wilbanks, as a surprise, to Sterner and fire department engineers Jacob Barks and Brett Wilcox. On March 22 Sterner was off duty and having dinner with his wife and family, Wilbanks recounted, when there was a dispatch for a medical emergency for an unresponsive patient. Sterner responded and started CPR on the victim at his home, and when Barks, Wilcox, and firefighter Bud McMillen arrived an AED was used by Wilcox as part of the effort.
The four firefighters continued to take turns giving CPR and were able to get the patient breathing by the time medical personnel arrived. Sterner accompanied the victim in the ambulance where he became unresponsive again and Sterner again administered CPR. The patient had regained a pulse by the time the ambulance arrived at Ozarks Healthcare.
The family members notified the fire department the next day and said the patient had survived a "widow-maker" heart attack, a blockage of a main artery that has a low survival rate when it happens outside of a medical facility.
"Because of their quick response, they were able to save the man's life," Wilbanks added.
