Nurse Awarded EMS Chief’s Commendation for Actions at Accident Scene

Stefanie Willoughby, a nurse who stopped to assist at the scene of a serious accident in November, was presented with a Certificate of Commendation and a Meritorious Service Coin by Essex-Windsor EMS Chief Bruce Krauter this week.

The certificate and coin are the eighth to be awarded by the chief in the last six years to EMS staff and members of the public.

The coin and certificate, which recognize extraordinary personal action, were given to Willoughby at Essex-Windsor EMS headquarters in Essex on Monday. Present were paramedics Lori Poole and Wendy Willis, who responded to the scene of the motor vehicle collision.

Willoughby came upon the crash while out driving and assisted those involved before EMS and other first responders arrived.

“Not everyone stops and lends a hand,” Poole said. “It was awesome to have Stefanie working alongside us during the call, assisting us in making a difficult job easier.”

Willoughby, who is a first aid and CPR instructor, said it has given her an extra appreciation for the challenging work paramedics do.

“You are the ones who get there first all the time. I don’t know how you do it,” Willoughby said to Poole and Willis after receiving her award.

She said her actions “didn’t feel like much at the time” but, like the paramedics, she was focused on using her skills to do all she could to help.

Willoughby’s nursing and first-aid experience proved invaluable when she arrived at the accident scene, and her compassion to the victims and bystanders was greatly appreciated, Krauter said.

“In a situation such as this, most would turn and run in the other direction,” he said. “Stefanie did not. She stopped, assessed the situation and attended to the most critically injured victim of this tragic accident.”

Krauter described her actions as “valiant” and thanked her for her bravery and selflessness.