This award was established by Scott County to honor people in the community who make a spontaneous reaction to an emergency while not thinking of their own safety during an unusual medical or lifesaving incident.As part of the recognition, Scott County Sheriff Luke Hennen
read from the nomination submitted by Christopher Matek, Operations Supervisor
at Northfield Hospital EMS: “Mark Weiberg has been a paramedic for over
20 years… Mark Weiberg went well above and beyond his job requirements on the
night of February 14, 2016. After working a busy 12 hour shift, including
getting a late assignment, Mark was on his way home. While driving North on
Interstate 35, events tragically unfolded. An accident occurred almost in
front of Mark.
“Elko New Market Fire closed the freeway to safely manage
the motor vehicle rollover crash. Mark did not sit quietly in his vehicle and
wait for it to be over. Instead, he took it upon himself to get out and render
aid to the fire department and the victims of the crash. Mark immediately
put his skills to work to resuscitate a pediatric cardiac arrest victim using
the fire department’s equipment and gave the patient the best chance of
survival. He remained on scene until all of the crash victims had been attended
to by Northfield EMS, Allina EMS, North AirCare, and the other first
responders.
“Mark’s actions provided the patient with the best
opportunity for survival. His selfless acceptance of the risks of working with
a patient on the freeway at night in a snow storm gave many of the other first
responders the confidence to keep doing their jobs and to manage a very
emotionally charge and chaotic scene. Mark’s example elevates the profession
and gives his colleagues a high bar to reach for.”
Following the presentation of the certificate, Sheriff
Hennen turned the podium over to the award recipient, who humbly noted that it
was his “… honor to serve as a paramedic.”
“I think I speak for everyone here,” noted Board Chair
Barbara Marschall, “In saying that we could only hope that someone like you
would be there when we need you, Mark. Congratulations, and our thanks to
you.”