Deputy State Fire Marshal Uses Tourniquet to Save Man’s Life after Tree-cutting Mishap

A Deputy State Fire Marshal is credited with saving a man’s life with his agency issued tourniquet and rendering aid after hearing his calls for help in Queen Anne’s County on September 10, 2020.

Senior Deputy State Fire Marshal Brad Childress heard the sounds of a chainsaw being used by a landscaping company to remove a tree in a nearby neighbors yard when he arrived home. Childress was preparing to go off-duty just before 3:00 p.m. when the sound of the chainsaw turned to a man screaming for help. Deputy Childress, who is also a volunteer firefighter and Emergency Medical Technician (EMT), immediately recognized the distressing call and returned to his vehicle and responded to the 400 block of Elm Street in Stevensville. Upon exiting his vehicle, he discovered a 36-year-old man in the backyard with a severed left hand and a deep laceration to his chest. A neighbor called 911, and Childress notified Queen Anne’s County Emergency Services via his portable radio while rendering aid.

Deputy Childress used his agency issued Combat Application Tourniquet (CAT) and applied pressure to the man’s arm, stopping the profuse bleed. Deputy Childress also treated the man’s chest wound until paramedics from United Communities Volunteer Fire Department arrived. Due to weather conditions, Maryland State Police Aviation Command was unable to medevac the victim, and paramedics subsequently transported him by ambulance to Curtis National Hand Center at MedStar Union Memorial Hospital in Baltimore. Paramedics credited Childress for providing life saving measures and mitigating the man’s injuries.

Deputy State Fire Marshals and Troopers are issued tourniquets and medical aid kits and are trained in the use of the life-saving devices.The Maryland State Police Education and Training Division offers training in CPR and the application of tourniquets on themselves and others for life threatening scenarios.

“Childress’ professional demeanor and dedication to duty is a credit not only to himself but to all of the members of the Department of State Police,” stated State Fire Marshal Brian S. Geraci. “His actions have demonstrated that he is truly an asset to this department and the entire community.”

Childress was selected as the Deputy State Fire Marshal of the Year for the Upper Eastern Regional Office last year and routinely coordinates blood drives. He was forced to undergo invasive open-heart surgery in November 2019. “He was determined to recover and return to work as soon as possible. In fact, Deputy Childress returned to work four weeks earlier than anticipated with a stronger work ethic and passion for life. And, his actions today demonstrate that.” stated Regional Comomander and Deputy Chief State Fire Marshal Caryn McMahon.

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~ MD State Fire Marshal