October 20, 2008 - Shreveport Fire Chief Issues Awards for Life Saving Efforts

Citizen quickly responds

Fire Chief Brian Crawford will award Bethany Hudson the Civilian Letter of Commendation in a special ceremony on Wednesday, October 22, 2008 at 10:00 a.m. in the Administrative Offices of the Shreveport Fire Department, 263 North Common Street. She will be recognized for her heroic life-saving efforts by initiating Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) to a bystander. Members of the Fire Engine 10 and Medic 3 will also be recognized at this ceremony for their efforts in saving William Hayford’s life.

Shreveport Fire Driver Jeff Dixon; Captains Darrell Braniff and Marty Thompson; Fire Driver Kenneth Sanchez; and Firefighters John Gimnich and George Hunt responded to Brookshire’s on 5828 Line Avenue on Sunday, September 21, 2008 to discover Hudson and another unknown nurse performing CPR on William Hayford, 57, who was unconscious. After arriving on scene, the paramedics provided advanced medical life support until he could be transported LSU Medical Center. The paramedics reported that Mr. Hayford had a stable pulse and was talking by the time they left LSUMC.

“I don’t remember anything about that day, but I am so grateful that Bethany and the other nurse were at Brookshire’s that day. They kept me alive until paramedics arrived,” said Hayford.

Efforts to locate the other nurse have been unsuccessful. If someone has some information about the other nurse, please contact Chief Steve Nezat at 673-6720.