DeKalb EMS Response Team Receives “Pediatric Call of Year” Award

The DeKalb County Ambulance Service along with hospital and emergency room staff at St. Thomas DeKalb Hospital have been awarded the “Pediatric Call of the Year” award for their efforts in trying to save the lives of victims in a mobile home fire in December. That fire claimed the lives of three people including a four year old child.
The 2017 Erlanger Life Force awards were presented Tuesday to Greta Stone, EMT-PCC/IC and Jamie Parsley, AEMT, members of the DeKalb EMS crew who were on duty and responded to the call on Sunday, December 4 at 1276 South Mountain Street in Smithville. The EMS awards ceremony was held in Chattanooga.
The fire claimed the lives of 27 year old Jeremy Shelton, 36 year old Crystal Fults, and 4 year old Caylix Johnson. Two others, 26 year old Heather Standridge and 23 month old Brantley Johnson were injured.
The DeKalb EMS crew treated Standridge and the Johnson children while transporting them to St Thomas DeKalb Hospital. The 4 year old child, Caylix Johnson died at the hospital. Standridge and the 23 month old, Brantley Johnson were later taken to Vanderbilt Hospital.
Upon arrival at St. Thomas DeKalb Hospital, the victims were treated by hospital and emergency room staff including Melody Judkins, Andria Nokes, and Diana Hardin. Brad Mullinax also arrived to assist.
Life Force was summoned to airlift the surviving victims but rainy weather that day prevented them from flying. Instead, the Life Force flight crew Susan Musilli and Corey Guy arrived at the local hospital to help in stabilizing the victims before accompanying them by ground ambulance transport to Vanderbilt Hospital.
“Jamie and myself never left the patients’ side until released to Vanderbilt Children’s hospital. We continued assisting ER staff and Lifeforce for Brantley’s stabilization,” said Stone.
The Erlanger and Life Force Awards Ceremony is a yearly event that honors the accomplishments of EMS personnel who have provided exemplary life-saving care to both adults and children.
DeKalb EMS Director Hoyte Hale said he is proud of his staff and for the great job they do.