Title
Presentation of the Fire Department's Award for Exemplary Action to Mr. William Harris.
Body
BACKGROUND:
On August 26, 2013 at 1:21 p.m. the Farmers Branch 911 Public Safety Answering Point received a telephone call requesting help for a major motor vehicle accident on Marsh Lane.
The accident involved a vehicle driving directly into the back of a parked City of Farmers Branch Parks Department pickup and trailer. The car struck the trailer driving it into the pickup. At the time of impact, Park's employee Rodrigo Burgos was standing between the trailer and pickup.
William Harris was in Farmers Branch working on a job site. On hearing the sound of the impact, he went to investigate what happened. Mr. Harris jumped over the fence line separating Marsh Lane from the residential area and found Rodrigo Burgos pinned between the truck and the trailer hemorrhaging blood from his severely injured leg.
Mr. Harris immediately removed his belt and applied it as a tourniquet to Rodrigo's injured leg. Fire, EMS and Police units from both Addison and Farmers Branch then arrived on location and took over patient care. Hydraulic rescue tools were needed to free Rodrigo and allow him to be air lifted to a Level 1 Trauma Center.
Mr. William Harris' direct action slowed down the hemorrhage, and bought Rodrigo Burgos enough time to survive the extrication and helicopter flight to the Trauma Center. Unfortunately, the trauma to Rodrigo's leg was so severe that it could not be saved.
Because of the courageous actions taken by Mr. William Harris, City of Farmers Branch Parks employee Rodrigo Burgos is alive today and on the road to recovery.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Award of Exemplary Action to William Harris