Fairchild Airman honored as Hometown Heroes

Published Nov. 19, 2012
By Airman 1st Class Taylor Curry
92nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs

FAIRCHILD AIR FORCE BASE, Wash. -- Three Fairchild Airmen received the honor of being named a Hometown Hero at the annual American Red Cross Hometown Heroes luncheon Nov. 15.

The ceremony recognized people whose accomplishments have made a positive impact on the lives of others, whether through a life-saving action or tireless effort to benefit the community.

"In the Red Cross, we often see the same behavior from our volunteers who, in our estimation, are the epitome of what it means to be a hero; to be the person who heads toward the disaster, toward the emergency when others step away. All of our recipients represent the very best of our community," said Terry Pollard, regional CEO of the American Red Cross.

Receiving the awards were:

- Capt. Leslee Kane, 92nd Medical Operations Squadron family physician, Medical Hero Award
- Staff Sgt. Jeffrey Michael Tremel, 336th Training Support Squadron, Wilderness Hero Award
- Senior Airman Chandler Tuscany, 92nd Civil Engineer Squadron firefighter, Military Hero Award

While deployed to Zabul, Afghanistan, Kane led the response to triage and treatment to fellow service members who were hit by an explosive device attack from suicide bombers. She coordinated evacuation of two U.S. military members and three local national patients to higher level of care. Over the duration of her tour, she aided in triage of 17 local national patients and preparing them for transport and coordinated the screening of more than 75 American troops for traumatic brain injury, ensuring 100 percent of these troops battle-ready with 72 hours.

"I am honored to be recognized, but it's hard for me to accept being called a 'hero' for doing what I signed up to do, for doing my job," said Kane.

Tremel displayed expertise and heroism when two hikers, father and son, were stuck on a cliff and Tremel was hoisted down to rescue them. Tremel assessed the hikers and determined they needed hypothermia preventative care. He then patiently reassured the son, who began to panic, that he would be safe. The father and his son were hoisted to safety. Based on his actions, the lives of the two individuals were saved that day.

"I am very happy to receive this honor and share it with the other members of the crew on that mission, pilot Maj. Brint Golembiewski, and flight engineer, Staff Sgt. Dustin Sheffield as well as the other seven search and rescue independent duty medical technicians, all of whom have been on successful rescue missions," said Tremel. "We train very hard and it is very rewarding when we have the opportunity to save someone."

During a commercial flight, Tuscany conducted CPR on a female patient who started convulsing. The patient stopped seizing and Tuscany found she no longer had a pulse. Tuscany removed her from her seat to start CPR. With no response, he applied an automated external defibrillator and delivered two shocks. The plane made an emergency landing and Tuscany continued to assess the patient before she was transferred to a medical crew.

Tuscany was unable to accept his award in person due to his current deployment. Fire Chief Bill Nowlin accepted the award on Tuscany's behalf.

"He used his training for what it's supposed to be for," Nowlin said. "He is a great firefighter and a great person who gets along great with everyone."

Portraits of all the Hometown Heroes are displayed all year long in the food court at the Northtown Mall.