by Master Sgt. J. LaVoie
460th Space Wing Public Affairs
2/7/2011 - BUCKLEY AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. (AFNS) -- Recently, a Buckley Air Force Base Airman rendered aid to a car accident victim.
Staff Sgt. Kristin Porter, from the Air force Technical Applications Center, Det. 45, was stopped in a driveway near the base making a phone call when she heard a loud sound.
"I was talking and I heard an accident behind me," she said. "I turned to look and saw a car off the road and right away there was smoke."
Sergeant Porter immediately ended her call, called 911 and rushed over to help. At the same time, a former member of the Navy, who was in the car behind the burning vehicle, pulled the driver out.
"In the few seconds it took me to get to the car, it was already in flames," Sergeant Porter said. "The man that pulled him from the car saved his life."
The victim was unconscious, but both Sergeant Porter and the former Sailor began treating him. Sergeant Porter had taken an EMT course in the past, but also credited Air Force training for her ability to help the injured man.
"Because we take the Self Aid and Buddy Care refresher every year, the information is fresh," she said. "But there were so many people out there that day, getting traffic stopped, trying to put the fire out and helping out. Complete strangers - none of them knew each other, but they were all working together."
An off-duty nurse took over care from Sergeant Porter. The victim was transported to a local hospital.
