Shaw Fire Department wins Green Cross Published May 4, 2009 By Tech. Sgt. Vincent A. Mouzon 20th Fighter Wing Public Affairs SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. -- The Shaw AFB Fire Department won the 2008 Green Cross Rescue of the Year Award. Hurst, a division of IDEX Corp., presented the award, commissioned by Hurst and created by Marty Ellenbecker, at the Green Cross Reception April 23. According to Hurst, since 1973, thousands of firefighters and rescue workers have been awarded the prestigious Green Cross. The award is the symbol of recognition for those who have used Hurst Jaws of Life products to save lives. Hurst annually selects a fire department for their rescue efforts on a particular extrication incident. After reviewing close to 1,000 entries Hurst announced the Shaw fire department as the winner for their entry detailing the use of Hurst Jaws of Life tools saving the lives of a mother and child. The three Air Force crew members for this particular incident were staff sergeants Jackie D. Hudson, James B. McCroskey, and Marcus Hewett. "Upon our arrival we found a head-on collision with three vehicles," said Sergeant Hewett. "Two vehicles had moderate damage and the other vehicle, the one the five-year-old was in, had major frontal damage on the passenger side." He went on, "We removed the door to see how critical the situation was. The dash was on the patient's legs! I quickly used the Hurst Jaws of Life to clear enough space to (free) the victim's legs and then we extracted the victim. We truly made a difference that day and saved that five-year-old's life, thanks to Hurst tools." "We are happy to recognize the Shaw fire department for their dedicated efforts in saving lives," said Aaron Guenther, Hurst Jaws of Life vice president of sales and marketing. "While everyone who receives a Green Cross award is a hero, these particular rescuers did an outstanding job in the face of adversity and we are proud to present them with this award." The Green Cross award recognizes the whole Shaw fire emergency services, not just the crew. Shaw's fire emergency services along with Shaw's medics have also been requested to assist the Sumter Fire Emergency Services on many occasions at this end of the county. "We count ourselves lucky to be a part of an outstanding county wide emergency services program that is nothing short of stellar," said Jake B. Mathews, chief, Shaw fire and emergency services. "The assistance Shaw receives from Chief C.K. Ford and Sumter is great; they definitely deserve to be recognized for this award as well." The official Hurst Jaws of Life Green Cross Registry can be found on the Hurst Jaws of Life Web site at www.jawsoflife.com.