Beech Tree News Network

On Tuesday, January 17 at approximately 3 p.m. Butler County Dispatch received a call reporting an overturned vehicle with a female passenger trapped within. Members of Butler County Emergency Medical Service jumped into action without a second thought; handling these types of situations, while not easy, are what they are trained to do. They were on the scene in minutes and began providing assistance to the passenger in need, Richmond, Kentucky native Elizabeth Smith, alongside the Morgantown Volunteer Fire Department and Butler County Rescue Squad.

A passerby stopped to offer what assistance he could when he came upon the scene during his afternoon commute. This passerby was Tim Benningfield, a retired Assistant Fire Chief from Daviess County and paramedic. Benningfield felt compelled to send Judge-Executive David Fields a letter praising EMS Director Brian McKinney and BCEMS on the way that they handled the life-threatening situation Tuesday afternoon. Benningfield wrote ". . . the skilled actions of the staff of Butler County EMS saved a life yesterday . . . They truly exemplify the profession of Emergency Medical Services and are an asset to the Butler County Community."

"As always, our crew did what they were trained to do," said Director McKinney. "Our dispatcher ramained calm throughout the situation and got us everything we needed and our ambulance crew, along with all those who responded, did what was necessary to, I believe, save a life."

Judge Fields added, "We really appreciate people who take the time to thank our emergency responders for the services that they provide the people of Butler County. The people of Butler County already know how our emergency responders do a lot of great things. When you have a person that is not from around here, such as Mr. Benningfield, who is willing to put his name on a letter thanking the BCEMS for their services, then you know you are doing some great things."

Here is the letter Benningfield send Judge Fields in its entirety:

Judge Fields-

I travel through Butler County daily on my way to Bowling Green from my home in Daviess County. My afternoon commute yesterday saw it necessary for me to stop in an attempt to render aid at the scene of a vehicle accident on the William H. Natcher Parkway near the 29 mile marker. This appeared to be a serious accident and there were only passers-by near the vehicle on its side when I witnessed the wreckage. The lone operator of the vehicle was trapped in a precarious position and the ensuing rescue operation presented significant challenges.

It was during this time that I witnessed some of the most professional and skilled behaviors presented by your County’s Emergency Medical Services. I recently retired as Assistant Fire Chief in Daviess County and myself have been a paramedic for several  years. This was one of the most dangerous and potentially life threatening situations to which I have ever seen a victim exposed. I will spare the specific details out of respect for the victim, but assure you the skilled actions of the staff of Butler County EMS saved a life yesterday.

I would specifically like to share my professional gratitude to Director McKinney for his recognition of my presence, as he and I arrived simultaneously, allowing me to provide what little assistance I could in assuring a successful outcome. I encountered a number of staff from BCEMS and every one conducted themselves professionally. They truly exemplify the profession of Emergency Medical Services and are an asset to the Butler County Community.

Sincerely,

Tim Benningfield, BA NREMT-P