University Bridge and autumn colors map it

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City of Seattle
Mike McGinn, Mayor
NEWS ADVISORY
SUBJECT: 911 Dispatcher Honored
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
5/5/2005  12:15:00 PM
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
Kyle Moore  (206) 386-1679


911 Dispatcher Honored

Just after 4:00 a.m. on Tuesday, May 3rd, Fire Dispatcher Rick Smith answered a 911 call from a frantic driver saying his friend who was in the car with him had been shot. Smith stayed on the line for almost five minutes while the driver continued southbound on I-5. Smith remained calm and continued urging the panicked driver to pull over. The driver finally stopped at Mercer and Fairview. Fire and police rushed to the scene but the patient later died at Harborview from gunshot wounds.

Fire Chief Gregory Dean will present Smith with a special Chief's Coin in recognition for going above and beyond the call of duty. Dispatchers have one of the most stressful jobs in the Fire Department. Their ability to remain cool under pressure means the difference between life and death.

Smith has been with the Seattle Fire Department for 36 years. He spent 24 years as a paramedic and has served the past six years as a dispatcher.

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Seattle Fire Department

 

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