STAFFORD – Two Stafford first responders have recently been honored with an award after saving an unconscious victim from a residence.
At a recent town council meeting, Mayor Gregory Myhre and the Township Council honored Stafford EMS Chief Mike Essig Jr. and Stafford Police Officer Chris Smith the Life Saving Valor Award. Both Essig and Smith were first on the scene when they responded to an unconscious resident. The home had experienced a major gas leak, resulting in the victim being unconscious.
“We responded to an unresponsive female. Upon the arrival of Smith and I, the mother was outside yelling that someone was unresponsive. When we went into the residence, we were hit with natural gas. Later we determined that it was over the recommended of the LEL, I believe over 500 parts per million. We both were able to get the female outside and into the ambulance. She was discharged later that night,” Essig said.
“It’s something that comes naturally to us, the first aid, fire department etc. I think all of us were thinking the same thing, what had happened years ago on Oak Ave. It was either go in right away and get her out or stand back. The stand back wasn’t even an option so we just went in, found her and brought her right outside. The gas company responded out and they told us that we were lucky, that there was a lot of gas in there. We had to wait around and hour and a half for it to all clear out. Anybody would have done the same thing, we just happened to be the first two there,” Smith said.
Mayor Myhre presented both Essig and Smith with the Life Saving Valor Award for their actions and the commitment they give to saving the community.
“Patrolman Smith said ‘anyone would have done the same thing,’ but I think we know that’s not quite accurate. You guys actually did. You were there and you mentioned that explosion on Oak Ave. I think that was about three or four years ago now and the entire home exploded. So, you were aware of the dangers that could happen and both of you acted and we’re all grateful for it. This also shows the great cooperation work between the police and EMS, and that saves lives on a regular basis. The community is grateful, I’m grateful and I speak on behalf of the council. Thank you,” Myhre said.
In addition, Myhre and the council congratulated the newest Captain of the Patrol Division, Olev Allikmaa at the March 23 meeting. Olev was promoted from the rank of Lieutenant to Captain.
“Ollie is the second longest serving officer in the police department behind myself. He’s done a great job, he’s made a lot of roles in the police department and he’s extremely deserving of the award,” Chief Thomas Dellane said.
“Captain Allikmaa is a 1985 Southern Regional High School graduate, a 1990 Stockton State College graduate, and a Command & Leadership Academy graduate,” Dellane said, detailing his background. “He joined Stafford Police in 1996 and has served and excelled in numerous assignments throughout the department. He is the recipient of numerous Firearms awards, Lifesavings awards, PT awards, two Medal of Police Excellence awards and an Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Service Award. He is a former SWAT Commander and Honor Guard member, a current PT, Firearms and Defensive Tactics Instructor and an Internal Affairs Officer.”
