From The Woodbury Public Safety Department
Dr. Janet Olson,
In the past two weeks we have had two interesting calls where people you trained in BART responded.
Going Above and Beyond
Situation number one on March 4th involved Police-Paramedic officer Jeff Benysek and firefighter-EMT Scott Tenner. The team attempted to resuscitate a dog unfortunately without success. According to the police report:
A man and his wife came to 2240 fire station looking for medical rescue for their 12 year old terrier that had an obstructed airway. Obstruction was dislodged and removed however attempts to re-establish a pulse were unsuccessful. Resources were given to the family for grievance and next course of action.
One of our officers wrote a “pat-on-the-back”;
A distraught couple approached the 2240 fire station with their small dog that was choking. Benysek and Tenner did everything they could to assist them in a very professional manner. Life saving attempts by the team were not successful but the couple was very happy with the efforts made. Benysek and Tenner are great examples of the professional team we have!
An additional officer added this supplement to the pat-on-the-back:
In addition to attempting to revive the dog, Jeff went to the owner’s home to offer his assistance and condolences. The sobbing owner asked Jeff if he could help bury the dog. Jeff attempted to help the owner dig a hole, but was unable to due to the ground frost. Jeff’s compassion was most surely appreciated by the owner and was certainly above the call of duty.
EMS Personnel Save Truck Driver’s Best Friend from Wreck
Our second situation involved several of our police-paramedics and firefighter-EMT’s. This situation made the headline news at 10:00 on WCCO Sunday, March 19th. The story should still be on the WCCO web site. View the video now.
Rich Schmitt, one of our police officer-paramedics summed it up this way:
To all,
One of the philosophies of how we do this job and “who we are” as public safety employees is that we do what’s needed at any given time and that we do what others won’t or can’t do. Another great example of that happened this weekend.
On Saturday, 3-18-06, a semi truck rolled over at 494 and I-94 in the usual spot. Upon police and fire arrival, the driver was out of the truck worried about “Josie-Girl”, a 3 year old Golden Retriever trapped under the wrecked semi tractor. Josie-Girl was tossed from the turning truck and trapped underneath the frame and motor.
Paul Kroshus and I located Josie-Girl under the frame of the truck and assessed her condition. JG was breathing rapidly and only a small portion of her hind quarter was visible. The rest of JG was pinned underneath the frame and motor of the truck. JG would not have lasted long as it appeared that her breathing effort was changing. Police Medics met with Fire Capt. Neily and determined what resources we would commit to rescuing JG. We agreed, we would get her out!
Officers and fire fighters worked together to secure the scene, secure the truck and extricate JG. A special THANK YOU goes to James Olson and Ernie Hokanson who did the primary extrication. The two fire fighters had to work underneath the cab of the over-turned truck and cut metal and fiber glass to get to JG. These men were relentless at their effort….I also owe them an apology for…”get her out…get her out…get her &^%(^% out”!!!!!!!!!!!!!….SORRY!
Once extricated, James and I loaded Josie-Girl into the Tahoe and rushed her to the “Emergency vet” in Oakdale. (I know I know…medic vehicle….so shoot me!) They were given forewarning by WCSO dispatch of our arrival.
Josie-Girl suffered an abdominal bleed and is doing well.
I contacted the owner to tell him where his dog was and he cried. He wanted everyone involved to know how he appreciates our effort. He is an over the road driver and he stated “That dog is my life” He is being released from Regions Hospital this same date and headed to visit his dog.
After being involved with this call…and thinking about the people there working to get her out, all I can say is WOW! Way cool and Thank You!
-J.B. Guiton, EMS Coordinator, Department of Public Safety, City of Woodbury
View the WCCO special report for this story.
A Letter of thanks from Jason and Josie:
On March 18, 2006 my life changed forever as well as a little two and a half year old girl’s (Josie). Some people say she’s not a girl just “˜cause she’s a dog, but she’s not just a dog to me, she’s a lifelong companion, friend, and someone that is always there for me whenever I need someone. But that’s only because of the people that saved her! If there wasn’t an organization that trains people to rescue animals I might not have her and I am thankful for that each and every day.
I rolled over a tractor trailer that was fully loaded with 45,000 lbs of French fries that were supposed to be brought to Ohio. I was on an off ramp of I-694 headed east to I-94. When I got ¾ of the way around the exit, the load shifted tipping the rig onto the driver’s side. I remember looking back at Josie, not knowing that it could be the last time I would have seen her. There was a slamming, glass breaking noise, I opened my eyes, I looked behind me and didn’t see Josie. I heard a noise I’ll never forget, a whimper that brings tears to my eyes. She wasn’t behind me (wait, I’m not on the road or right side up). I now realized I had rolled over on the driver’s side and Josie wasn’t in the back. I listen to the sound over all the other background noises. I keep hearing her; I’d opened my eyes to that very sound. I then released my seat belt and slammed down on the roof of the semi cab, to hear the noise of Josie getting worse. With my head ringing and the noise of pain, fear and sadness from Josie I realized I was trapped in the cab and Josie was somewhere else. On my third try to get out of the cab I succeeded, going through the windshield, to find that Josie was trapped underneath the semi’s engine compartment. I screamed “No!” I couldn’t see her very well but heard that sound that to this day never leaves me! I was trying to shovel snow away from the hood of the semi so I could reach her but I was a foot and a half above the snow, bleeding on the side of my face and not really aware of what was going on. An EMT or first responder on his day off had stopped to help. When he reached me he said “You have to sit down over here by the road so when the ambulance comes they will be able to help you. Also you are bleeding badly out of the scrape on your head.” I didn’t care about me, the truck or the load, just Josie!! I started to realize that I might not ever see her again! The sound she made when I looked into her eyes was horrible; I was so scared I had hurt my Josie girl. I will never forget that sound. The first responder pulled me over to the side and when the ambulance came I was still saying “I won’t leave my Josie girl!” When they realized she wasn’t a little girl, and was a dog, I said “she’s my little girl.” I sat down in the ambulance and heard someone say “Who is going to pay for the dog?”, then the person who was trained to save animals said “I will pay for it if need be.” I heard a bang and then screamed. I thought she was gone. That maybe she was in too much pain or no one could save her and that they had to put her down.
At the hospital I got a call from the person trained by your organization. He said where Josie was being taken and that he thought at one point he was going to have to give her mouth to mouth. And for someone to have that much dedication was unbelievable to me. They told him at the animal hospital that she might have internal bleeding but they will do everything they can. When he told me that I had tears in my eyes! I told the man that saved my Josie that I was so thankful for what he did and happy she was alive! Thinking that she just was thrown through the windshield and then had the semi slam on top of her, she’s very lucky to be alive! He agreed! He also said that they thought she was going to make it! I was so happy but still worried and had many doubts. I couldn’t thank him enough! He was such a stand up, well trained guy! He then replied “It’s my job”, but I knew it meant a lot more to him and could tell. After I was x-rayed and was getting ready to leave a feeling of sadness came over me that I almost lost my Josie and put her through all of this. I just wanted to get to her and give her kisses and hugs. I could have lost her and that killed me!
When the first responder saved her I realized what I was so afraid of losing. I will say that most people say you only adapt to one maybe two animals in your lifetime; thanks to your guys training I will be able to see my little girl every day! And I never will forget how thankful I am for your organization that trained someone that cared about saving my little girl as much as I did. I wanted to give his name to you but he knows who he is and so does God! Also God knows that he is Josie’s angel because he saved her. Because of his training to respond and care for animals during accidents, my story is a very happy thankful one! Thank you so much!
Because of Bart and the people that were trained because of his accident, I didn’t lose my Josie. I hope the tears of remembering my sad accident helps BART like you guys helped me! Once more, thank you very much!
Thanks Jason and Josie-Girl, for sending us your heartwarming story, from all the BART volunteers!
A Letter of Success and Appreciation
Published October 4, 2006 8:54 pm · General, Rescue Stories
From The Woodbury Public Safety Department
Dr. Janet Olson,
In the past two weeks we have had two interesting calls where people you trained in BART responded.
Going Above and Beyond
Situation number one on March 4th involved Police-Paramedic officer Jeff Benysek and firefighter-EMT Scott Tenner. The team attempted to resuscitate a dog unfortunately without success. According to the police report:
A man and his wife came to 2240 fire station looking for medical rescue for their 12 year old terrier that had an obstructed airway. Obstruction was dislodged and removed however attempts to re-establish a pulse were unsuccessful. Resources were given to the family for grievance and next course of action.
One of our officers wrote a “pat-on-the-back”;
A distraught couple approached the 2240 fire station with their small dog that was choking. Benysek and Tenner did everything they could to assist them in a very professional manner. Life saving attempts by the team were not successful but the couple was very happy with the efforts made. Benysek and Tenner are great examples of the professional team we have!
An additional officer added this supplement to the pat-on-the-back:
In addition to attempting to revive the dog, Jeff went to the owner’s home to offer his assistance and condolences. The sobbing owner asked Jeff if he could help bury the dog. Jeff attempted to help the owner dig a hole, but was unable to due to the ground frost. Jeff’s compassion was most surely appreciated by the owner and was certainly above the call of duty.
EMS Personnel Save Truck Driver’s Best Friend from Wreck
Our second situation involved several of our police-paramedics and firefighter-EMT’s. This situation made the headline news at 10:00 on WCCO Sunday, March 19th. The story should still be on the WCCO web site. View the video now.
Rich Schmitt, one of our police officer-paramedics summed it up this way:
To all,
One of the philosophies of how we do this job and “who we are” as public safety employees is that we do what’s needed at any given time and that we do what others won’t or can’t do. Another great example of that happened this weekend.
On Saturday, 3-18-06, a semi truck rolled over at 494 and I-94 in the usual spot. Upon police and fire arrival, the driver was out of the truck worried about “Josie-Girl”, a 3 year old Golden Retriever trapped under the wrecked semi tractor. Josie-Girl was tossed from the turning truck and trapped underneath the frame and motor.
Paul Kroshus and I located Josie-Girl under the frame of the truck and assessed her condition. JG was breathing rapidly and only a small portion of her hind quarter was visible. The rest of JG was pinned underneath the frame and motor of the truck. JG would not have lasted long as it appeared that her breathing effort was changing. Police Medics met with Fire Capt. Neily and determined what resources we would commit to rescuing JG. We agreed, we would get her out!
Officers and fire fighters worked together to secure the scene, secure the truck and extricate JG. A special THANK YOU goes to James Olson and Ernie Hokanson who did the primary extrication. The two fire fighters had to work underneath the cab of the over-turned truck and cut metal and fiber glass to get to JG. These men were relentless at their effort….I also owe them an apology for…”get her out…get her out…get her &^%(^% out”!!!!!!!!!!!!!….SORRY!
Once extricated, James and I loaded Josie-Girl into the Tahoe and rushed her to the “Emergency vet” in Oakdale. (I know I know…medic vehicle….so shoot me!) They were given forewarning by WCSO dispatch of our arrival.
Josie-Girl suffered an abdominal bleed and is doing well.
I contacted the owner to tell him where his dog was and he cried. He wanted everyone involved to know how he appreciates our effort. He is an over the road driver and he stated “That dog is my life” He is being released from Regions Hospital this same date and headed to visit his dog.
After being involved with this call…and thinking about the people there working to get her out, all I can say is WOW! Way cool and Thank You!
-J.B. Guiton, EMS Coordinator, Department of Public Safety, City of Woodbury
View the WCCO special report for this story.
A Letter of thanks from Jason and Josie:
On March 18, 2006 my life changed forever as well as a little two and a half year old girl’s (Josie). Some people say she’s not a girl just “˜cause she’s a dog, but she’s not just a dog to me, she’s a lifelong companion, friend, and someone that is always there for me whenever I need someone. But that’s only because of the people that saved her! If there wasn’t an organization that trains people to rescue animals I might not have her and I am thankful for that each and every day.
I rolled over a tractor trailer that was fully loaded with 45,000 lbs of French fries that were supposed to be brought to Ohio. I was on an off ramp of I-694 headed east to I-94. When I got ¾ of the way around the exit, the load shifted tipping the rig onto the driver’s side. I remember looking back at Josie, not knowing that it could be the last time I would have seen her. There was a slamming, glass breaking noise, I opened my eyes, I looked behind me and didn’t see Josie. I heard a noise I’ll never forget, a whimper that brings tears to my eyes. She wasn’t behind me (wait, I’m not on the road or right side up). I now realized I had rolled over on the driver’s side and Josie wasn’t in the back. I listen to the sound over all the other background noises. I keep hearing her; I’d opened my eyes to that very sound. I then released my seat belt and slammed down on the roof of the semi cab, to hear the noise of Josie getting worse. With my head ringing and the noise of pain, fear and sadness from Josie I realized I was trapped in the cab and Josie was somewhere else. On my third try to get out of the cab I succeeded, going through the windshield, to find that Josie was trapped underneath the semi’s engine compartment. I screamed “No!” I couldn’t see her very well but heard that sound that to this day never leaves me! I was trying to shovel snow away from the hood of the semi so I could reach her but I was a foot and a half above the snow, bleeding on the side of my face and not really aware of what was going on. An EMT or first responder on his day off had stopped to help. When he reached me he said “You have to sit down over here by the road so when the ambulance comes they will be able to help you. Also you are bleeding badly out of the scrape on your head.” I didn’t care about me, the truck or the load, just Josie!! I started to realize that I might not ever see her again! The sound she made when I looked into her eyes was horrible; I was so scared I had hurt my Josie girl. I will never forget that sound. The first responder pulled me over to the side and when the ambulance came I was still saying “I won’t leave my Josie girl!” When they realized she wasn’t a little girl, and was a dog, I said “she’s my little girl.” I sat down in the ambulance and heard someone say “Who is going to pay for the dog?”, then the person who was trained to save animals said “I will pay for it if need be.” I heard a bang and then screamed. I thought she was gone. That maybe she was in too much pain or no one could save her and that they had to put her down.
At the hospital I got a call from the person trained by your organization. He said where Josie was being taken and that he thought at one point he was going to have to give her mouth to mouth. And for someone to have that much dedication was unbelievable to me. They told him at the animal hospital that she might have internal bleeding but they will do everything they can. When he told me that I had tears in my eyes! I told the man that saved my Josie that I was so thankful for what he did and happy she was alive! Thinking that she just was thrown through the windshield and then had the semi slam on top of her, she’s very lucky to be alive! He agreed! He also said that they thought she was going to make it! I was so happy but still worried and had many doubts. I couldn’t thank him enough! He was such a stand up, well trained guy! He then replied “It’s my job”, but I knew it meant a lot more to him and could tell. After I was x-rayed and was getting ready to leave a feeling of sadness came over me that I almost lost my Josie and put her through all of this. I just wanted to get to her and give her kisses and hugs. I could have lost her and that killed me!
When the first responder saved her I realized what I was so afraid of losing. I will say that most people say you only adapt to one maybe two animals in your lifetime; thanks to your guys training I will be able to see my little girl every day! And I never will forget how thankful I am for your organization that trained someone that cared about saving my little girl as much as I did. I wanted to give his name to you but he knows who he is and so does God! Also God knows that he is Josie’s angel because he saved her. Because of his training to respond and care for animals during accidents, my story is a very happy thankful one! Thank you so much!
Because of Bart and the people that were trained because of his accident, I didn’t lose my Josie. I hope the tears of remembering my sad accident helps BART like you guys helped me! Once more, thank you very much!
Thanks Jason and Josie-Girl, for sending us your heartwarming story, from all the BART volunteers!