ElderPlace PACE Laurelhurst staff honored for their compassionate, competent, and selfless actions
On Tuesday evening, May 7, at their 2024 Awards Ceremony, Portland Fire & Rescue recognized and honored fourteen ElderPlace PACE Laurelhurst staff members, and Dan Mason from Iron Mountain Shredding, for “going above and beyond the call of duty."
The recognition traces back to an event that occurred on August 30, 2023. PACE Laurelhurst staff were going about their business when they heard the loud smash of a major traffic collision. A Tri-Met bus driver experienced a medical emergency and crashed a bus full of passengers into a tree. PACE Laurelhurst staff immediately called 911, then gathered medical supplies and rushed out to triage passengers and drivers.
The PACE Laurelhurst staff had to force their way through a side door, then quickly checked riders for injuries. While many passengers exited the bus unassisted, a few riders, including a passenger with an open fracture, were treated in their seats until Portland Fire & Rescue arrived and took over care.
Upon arrival at the scene, Portland Fire & Rescue noted PACE Laurelhurst staff “gave invaluable transfer-of-care reports to the Portland Fire & Rescue crews and offered to continue assisting as needed. As responders continued arriving and began treating and transporting patients, the staff members remained engaged and offered emotional and logistical help to the less injured passengers.”
Portland Fire & Rescue Awards Committee selected these ElderPlace PACE Laurelhurst staff members for their “compassionate, competent, and selfless actions” and awarded them the Fire Chief’s certificate.
ElderPlace PACE Laurelhurst award recipients:
Not shown: Donna Winebarger, Rebecca Kimball, Ruth Weston, Cassaundra Teano, Joanna Anctil.
