STATter 911: Beach rescue: Off-duty PIO catches Ocean City, Maryland beach patrol and fire department in action.

Thursday, July 9, 2009

Beach rescue: Off-duty PIO catches Ocean City, Maryland beach patrol and fire department in action.

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Prince George's County Fire/EMS Department Chief Spokesman Mark Brady, apparently tired of dealing with the daily (sometimes hourly) questions from STATter911.com, escaped to an undisclosed location for some R & R. While taking it easy on the beach at that location (sources tell us it's Ocean City, Maryland) Mr. Brady found a little drama unfolding in front of him yesterday during the noon hour.

Brady snapped these pictures of the Ocean City Beach Patrol and the Ocean City Fire Department in action after a teen swimmer was injured.

Brady, impressed by what he saw, sent a letter to town officials that describes the incident.

At 12:19 PM, Wednesday, July 8, 2009, the Ocean City Beach Patrol Lifeguard protecting the beach at 142nd Street leaped from his stand and made his way south about 150 feet. He saw a swimmer in distress and without hesitation and in what seemed to be seamless motion, alerted other OCBP of the rescue and was with the injured person within seconds. The initial OCBP personnel reached the teen-aged male still in shallow surf and, assisted by family members brought him from the surf to the sandy beach. After a quick assessment, the OCBP maintained traction to stabilize what was becoming apparent as a possible c-spine injury to the teen. In a remarkable timeline, within 30 seconds, two additional OCBP were on location assisting. Within 2 ½ minutes a Ocean City Fire/EMS Department Paramedic Unit arrived at the top end of 142nd Street with patient contact being made at 3 minutes and 45 seconds of pulling the injured teen from the surf. An OCBP ATV arrived in about 5 minutes. The injured teen was immobilized, packaged and loaded onto the ATV and on the way to the transport unit in 11 minutes of initial contact by OCBP. This was an amazing display of fast actions, professionalism and performance by the public safety team of the Ocean City Beach Patrol and Ocean City Fire/EMS Department. I have included pictures of the rescue for you to use as you please.

From my experience it appeared the injured teen-ager received the best care possible by well trained and extremely talented group of first responders. While the injury to the teen is unfortunate and I wish him the best in his recovery, the rescue effort was nothing short of amazing and certainly a first-class textbook demonstration. Congratulations to all on a job well done.

# posted by Dave Statter @ 12:08 PM

Comments:

great pictures Mark

# posted by

Andy : July 9, 2009 12:19 PM

Congrats to the team from Ocean City.

But I guess if the Annapolis Road fire was under control in 5 minutes, we can add a minute or two to his time estimations and get it about right.

Either way, great job folks.

# posted by

Anonymous : July 9, 2009 12:45 PM

This just goes to show that regardless of WHO is watching; we are constantly receiving job performance evaluations by someone.

# posted by

Ronnie : July 9, 2009 12:51 PM

This should serve as a reminder that our Nation's PIO's are never off duty ...

# posted by

Anonymous : July 9, 2009 1:05 PM

serve as a reminder there is always some yahoo with a camera. professional or not.

# posted by

Anonymous : July 9, 2009 3:52 PM

great job ocean city fire and beach patrol. hope the person is ok. now if mark could do his job right like that back at work. and be a puppet to people. and tell the truth. and work with the career and volunteers. and not cut someone or one side down. he might make a good pio someday.

# posted by

Anonymous : July 9, 2009 4:09 PM

I guess the PIO from PGFD wouldn't be writing that letter if the closest two lifeguard stands and Medic Unit from Ocean City had been shut down that day due to "budget constraints." I guess a fast reponse actually does make a difference.

# posted by

Anonymous : July 9, 2009 4:13 PM

Maybe old Mark can get his fire chief to recognize such performance in his own jurisdiction. Even with all of the cuts, the infighting, and the drama...PGFD has career and volunteer members doing good things each day....things that are rarely recognized.

# posted by

Anonymous : July 9, 2009 4:16 PM

"now if mark could do his job right like that back at work. and be a puppet to people."

It is not my job defend Mark Brady. He can do that himself. But I do have to ask you a question about this statement. When you indicate Mark is not doing his job right what do you mean?

If you think Mark should be out there telling us what his opinion is on these controversial issues, I imagine he would soon be an ex-PIO.

The last I heard is that job, as in most departments, is to explain the policies of the department as set forth by the chief. Are you saying he is not doing that?

Just curious.

In this case I think doing your job well and liking or not liking the message from the PIO are two different things.

Statter

# posted by

Dave Statter : July 9, 2009 5:44 PM

Sure seems to me that those folks with the negative remarks concerning Mark and his boss are not employeed are will about to be unemployeed if they respond negative about their boss. With such shallow minds what can you expect.

# posted by

Anonymous : July 10, 2009 12:55 PM