[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E253-E254]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

CONGRATULATIONS TO THE USCG AIR STATION, SAVANNAH, GA, FOR A JOB WELL
DONE

______

HON. JACK KINGSTON

of georgia

in the house of representatives

Thursday, February 13, 1997

Mr. KINGSTON. Mr. Speaker, when no one else was able to help, U.S.
Coast Guard helicopter 6573, based at the USCG Air Station in Savannah,
GA, swung into action to carry a 3-year-old burn victim from
Statesboro, GA to much needed treatment in Savannah, GA. The air
station staff's heroic actions are detailed in the following letter
from Bulloch Co. EMS/Rescue Director Lee Eckles:

Bulloch County EMS/Rescue,

Statesboro, Ga, October 27, 1996.
Adm. Robert E. Kramek,
Commandant, U.S. Coast Guard, Washington, DC.
Dear Admiral Kramek, I realize how busy you must be, but
when it comes to expressing ones thanks for saving the life
of a child, I felt like you just might have a few minutes to
read this letter.
On September 25, 1996, our department was dispatched to
respond to a ``burn patient'' some ten (10) miles away from
our station. With no other information available, we
responded. Arriving at the scene, our staff found a three
year old female with second and third degree burns covering
over seventy percent of her body. Within twenty-five minutes
of our dispatch time, the child was receiving primary care
treatment at our local hospital.
It was clear from first observations that this three year
old would need the specialized care of the ``Burn Center''
ninety miles to our west, in order to have any chance of
survival. Due to the extent and severity of the burns and the
fact that she had suffered extensive airway burns, transport
time to the burn center would have a significant impact on
her survival. Air transport was the only option. The regional
Trauma Center in Savannah, fifty miles to our east has the
only civilian medivac helicopter available in all of South
Georgia. Upon making the request, I was notified that their
helicopter was out of service for maintance. They did
however, quickly refer us to the military M.A.S.T. helicopter
unit at Fort Stewart. As I dialed the phone, I remembered
from my military tour of duty with the Coast Guard (1978-
1981), the bureaucratic process that would have to be
overcome in order for a military aircraft to be approved for
use on a civilian medivac mission. The desk sergeant quickly
transferred my call to the duty officer. My first comment to
the Major was to apologize for my sense of urgency, but a
child's life was on the line. Simply stated, I ask if his
M.A.S.T. Helicopter could be airborne in five minutes or less
for a medivac flight. His response was brief and very direct
``It will take me at least thirty minutes to find someone who
is capable of giving authorization,'' I thanked him for his
time, and hung up the phone.
I realized at that point we were out of options. One of my
staff members, feeling helpless said ``why don't you call the
Coast Guard, I know they have a helicopter.'' With nothing
but the cost of a phone call to lose, I called the Coast
Guard Air Station in Savannah Georgia. One again, I explained
the urgency of my request. This time however, the response
was different. With-in five minutes, USCG 6573 was airborne
and enroute to the Statesboro Municipal Airport. To make a
long story short, the Coast Guard answered the call for help
when no one else was available. The medivac mission was
carried out without a hitch. Our every request was quickly
accommodated.
Every one involved, from the pilots and air crew to the
individuals operating the telephone played an extremely
crucial role in the critical care transport of Stacie Martin.
At this point in time, I am not certain about Stacie's
outcome because of the extent and severity of her injuries.
One thing I certainly know, is the role played by All Coast
Guard Personnel involved will be credited with every positive
milestone that Stacie overcomes on her long road to recovery.
For four years, stationed at USCG Group Charleston, being a
SAR small boat coxswain, the Coast Guard Motto, Semper
Paratus, seldom took on a very significant meaning. However,
on Wednesday, September 25, 1996, being ``Always ready'' had
a much greater meaning than each and every day of my brief
Coast Guard career. On that Wednesday, it seemed that the
bureaucracy worked against Stacie, until Coast Guard
assistance was requested. No bureaucracy, no delay, no
excuses, simply immediate response, few questions, and
extraordinary execution of duty and responsibility by all
USCG personnel involved. I have always been proud of the many
roles that I was involved in while a member of the Coast
Guard, but never as impressed as I was on Wednesday the 25th.
I realize how truly insignificant our language and my own
vocabulary really is when trying to express my sincere
gratitude and thanks to everybody at the Coast Guard Air
Station in Savannah, and to the personnel at the District
Office in Miami. This is truly a case of one of the most
outstanding humanitarian missions ever undertaken by my
former branch of service.
There were probably many people who were involved whose
names I did not have a chance to document, but those names I
do have are as follows:

Captain Clark--OSR Miami.
Captain Thomas W. Sechler--OIC, Coast Guard Air Station
Savannah.
Lieutenant Richard Craig--Pilot.
Lieutenant Thomas Gaffney--Pilot.
Glenn Boggs--AD1.
William (Bill) DeCamp--ASM2.
Lieutenant Pat Ryan.
Rob Jerger--AM3.
Mike Forchette--AE1.

I know these people and all others involved in this mission
were only doing their job, but, speaking in behalf, of the
family of Stacie Martin, the Bulloch County Department of
Public Safety, Bulloch County EMS/RESCUE, and our entire
community, I wish again to express a very heartfelt thanks.
The entire United States Coast Guard came through in our time
of need. It was truly an answered prayer.

[[Page E254]]

I know we at EMS/RESCUE in Bulloch County will never be
able to repay all those involved, but, if you ever have any
need here in our community, please don't hesitate to call.
Very Sincerely,
Lee Echies,
Director.

____________________