By John Mura

Kentucky Energy and Environment Cabinet employees rise to the challenge when their commitment to service – and their professional training – call them into action.

This was in evidence on the morning of September 10 as Letcher County Ranger Jacob Cantrell was on his way to work. As he approached the intersection of Highway 119 and Bottom Fork Road in the Mayking community of Letcher County, he saw what appeared to be a recent, two-car collision.

Two passengers were being helped from one of the cars as two nurses, who’d been driving by, performed CPR on a severely injured elderly man in the second vehicle. Ranger Cantrell, who also serves as a first responder as a Lieutenant with Pound Volunteer Fire Dept. and as Master Sergeant with Pound Rescue Squad Inc. in Pound Va., quickly notified the office of his location and that he was beginning to assist with patient care. After checking that 911 had been notified by one of the civilians on scene he immediately began to assist with the severely injured patient.

Within minutes, the patient became alert and responsive. Ranger Cantrell then helped put a care plan in place until EMS could arrive.

“It was just natural for me to jump in and lend a hand,” Cantrell said. “It’s just a natural reaction to help those in need.”

When the Neon Fire Department EMS, the Letcher County Sherriff’s office and additional units from the Mayking Volunteer Fire Department, arrived, Cantrell briefed EMS and assisted in directing the responding units. Meanwhile, Jake Hall, Division of Forestry Hazard Branch Manager, and Chief Tony Fugate of the Maying Fire Department designated a helicopter landing zone on highway 119 and relayed it’s coordinates to 911 dispatch.

Once the patient was evacuated, Hall and Cantrell assisted the deputy with traffic control on Highway 119 until a wrecker arrived and cleared the scene.

“Ranger Cantrell showed excellent leadership skills and an unwavering commitment to the safety of citizens of the commonwealth throughout this incident ” said Hall. “He set a great example today on what it means to be a first responder, and I am very proud of his actions.”