The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) at the National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC) in Boise, Idaho presented a Citation for Exemplary Action to Larry (Kaili) McCray, Wildland Fire Medical Standards Program Manager with the U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI). McCray, a FWS employee serving at NIFC in the position co-funded by other DOI bureaus, was awarded the Departmental honor for heroic acts at the 2013 Beaver Creek Fire on the Sawtooth National Forest northwest of Hailey, Idaho.
The Exemplary Act Award recognizes McCray’s prompt action and decisions that contributed to saving a life on August 13, 2013. McCray administered chest compressions, applied an automated external defibrillator (AED), and ordered oxygen in response to a fire camp crew member who suffered a cardiac arrest. He coordinated his efforts with two other trained employees assigned to the fire from the U.S. Forest Service and the State of Maryland. The emergency room physician who later cared for the victim credited the responders’ actions and use of the AED on site with saving the patient’s life.
McCray was assigned to the Beaver Creek fire as a Medical Unit Leader trainee when the incident occurred, and has also been qualified as a wildland firefighter since 2010.
The Citation, signed by FWS Director Dan Ashe, was presented to McCray by his supervisor, FWS Chief, Branch of Fire Management, John Segar.
“The victim’s heart had stopped. Kaili’s quick thinking, decisive action, and leadership were directly responsible for preventing a death,” said Segar. “He joins a small and select group within the fire community ever to receive this award.”
In 2013, there were nine cardiac cases reported on wildland fires, with six of them fatal. The three saves resulted from AED and other life support equipment being available and properly used by trained personnel responding immediately. Since 1990, cardiac arrest has been the third-leading cause of wildland firefighter deaths. Aircraft and vehicle accidents are the first and second leading causes respectively of wildland firefighter fatalities.
The Wildland Fire Lessons Learned Center posted a standard incident review, which is available online.
More information, including many excellent photos, of the Beaver Creek Fire.
