First responders from throughout the St. Louis region were recognized on October 13 by the East Central Region EMS of Missouri at the group’s annual Lifesaving Awards ceremony. Nine St. Charles County Ambulance District paramedics were among the honorees at this year’s event.
Paramedics Danielle Helderle and Rob Sitze, along with Lieutenant Chuck Krueger and Battalion Chief Sean Hagen were honored for the role they played during a call from August 2022, when Colton Olson, a student at Peine Ridge Elementary School, suffered a cardiac arrest. Wentzville School District nurses, teachers and support staff, along with firefighters from Wentzville Fire Protection District [WFPD] were also honored for their actions on this call. Colton and his family were present at the awards luncheon to thank the first responders and school staff personally.
Also recognized at the awards ceremony were Paramedics Steve Neyens and Jerry Stinson, who along with Lieutenants Greg Rupp and Mike Buechner provided care to an individual who was struck by a vehicle, but survived thanks to the lifesaving treatment provided on-scene and in the ambulance. Lieutenants Buechner and Rupp, along with Paramedic Steve Uetz, were honored for their care on the scene of another motor vehicle accident.