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September
7, 2000
You
don’t have to convince firefighter Andrew Miller of
the value of his medical services training updates, or
of the fact that firefighters are often faced with
emergency situations that do not involve fires.
On
board a Korean Airlines flight bound for Seoul, South
Korea, Andrew, who is a firefighter with the Regional
Fire and Rescue Department out of Casa Grande, was on
his way to attend U.S. Navy Reserve active duty
training. Approximately 2 hours into a 14-hour trip,
and 40,000 feet above the Pacific Ocean, Andrew heard
a commotion a few rows ahead. 
A
five-year-old Korean boy was experiencing violent
seizures. With no physician or nurse on board, Andrew
offered assistance. Trained in emergency medical
procedures, Firefighter Miller assessed the situation,
applied his knowledge, and then advised the pilot to
find the nearest airport with emergency medical
facilities.
In the
three hours it took to return to San Francisco
airport, Miller bent over the little boy in the tight
quarters of the galley of the plane, administering
oxygen and techniques to keep the unconscious child
breathing.
Even
upon landing, when the flight attendants insisted that
Andrew take a seat and buckle up, he stayed on the
floor continuing the intervention needed for the
child’s airway. Once on the ground, firefighter
Miller provided a professional transfer of care to the
San Francisco Fire Department’s Paramedic Unit.
Andrew
Miller exemplifies the highest expectations,
traditions, abilities, and compassion of the Arizona
Fire Service in performing a miraculous task of saving
this little boy during this 3-hour ordeal. Committed
to the service of his country and his community, he
was honored with the U.S. Navy’s Achievement Medal
for Recognition of Effort in providing the critical
care necessary to sustain the life of this 5-year-old
boy. And we are very proud to present him with the
Symbol of Excellence Award as the SEVENTH
ANNUAL United Fire Firefighter of the Year.
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