On Tuesday, November 19, 2019, two Scott County Sheriff’s Office deputies, five emergency medical responders from Allina Health, and a local Scott County resident were honored with the Scott County Morris Miller Health Hero Award for their excellent teamwork in providing the necessary medical care to save several lives at a multi-vehicle crash that occurred this past summer.
The primary goal of the Morris A. Miller Award is to recognize and honor individuals or organizations within Scott County that have exhibited exceptional courage, extraordinary decisiveness and presence of mind, and unusual swiftness of action to save and protect human life and property during emergency events involving the citizens and visitors of Scott County.
On August 17, 2019, the Scott County Sheriff’s Deputy Jacob Lannon and Deputy Jacob Edwinson were dispatched to a three vehicle accident located at 220th Street East and Langford Avenue in Spring Lake Township. Local resident, Tim Cook, had reported the crash and informed dispatch that there were multiple victims that were in critical need of medical attention.
Once on scene, the deputies began to triage all the victims involved and requested additional medical care and assistance from the Prior Lake Fire Department for extrication of one of the victims from their vehicle. Cook assisted first responders by using his personal truck to pull one of the vehicles involved in the crash away from another involved vehicle to allow for extrication of the victim.
Once Allina Health Emergency Medical Services Duty Supervisor Nathan Layne arrived, he quickly realized the magnitude of the situation and requested additional medical assistance. Soon, Allina EMT Joseph Trongard, Allina Paramedic Scott Davis, Allina Paramedic Greg Harinen, and Allina Paramedic Nick Latourelle arrived and provided assistance with patient care and coordination of victim transportation.
“The teamwork that Deputy Edwinson, Deputy Lannon, Allina Supervisor Nathan Layne, Allina EMT Joseph Trongard, Allina Paramedic Scott Davis, Allina Paramedic Greg Harinen, Allina Paramedic Nick Latourelle, and citizen Tim Cook displayed during this incident displays their commitment to providing a high level of medical care along their abilities to quickly recognize during a stressful event what actions were necessary for the best possible outcome for each victim,” said Sheriff Luke Hennen.
“As a responder to this scene, and as the Medical Director and Chief of Allina EMS, I am very proud to support and serve with these individuals,” said Dr. Andrew Stevens. “Additionally, as a resident of Scott County, this type of action is what makes me, my family, and neighbors once again reassured that on our worst days the first responders in our county are top notch.”
For more information about this award, visit https://www.scottcountymn.gov/395/Morris-A-Miller-Awards. To view the 11/19/2019 County Board Agenda that includes this incident (Agenda item 8.1), please visit https://www.scottcountymn.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_11192019-821.
Dr. Andrew Stevens, Allina Paramedic Scott Davis, Deputy Jacob Lannon, victim John Mullenmeister., Deputy Jacob Edwinson, Allina EMT Joseph Trongard, Allina Supervisor Nathan Layne, Sheriff Luke Hennen. Not pictured: Paramedic Greg Harinen, Allina Paramedic Nick Latourelle, and resident Tim Cook.
Sheriff Luke Hennen, Spring Lake Township resident Tim Cook, Dr. Andrew Stevens