County recognizes fast crash response
Pam Tucker just wanted to give praise where praise was due.
Columbia County Emergency Management director Pam Tucker presents awards to Martinez Fire Chief Doug Cooper (from left), Gold Cross CEO Tom Schneider, Sheriff Clay Whittle and Lt. Andy Shedd of the sheriff's department for their quick response to the recent plane crash.
Photo by Jim Blaylock
"From time to time, people do something so special that you do need to recognize it publicly," said Tucker, Columbia County's Emergency Services director, at a recent Board of Commissioners meeting.
The recognition was for emergency service workers, who Tucker said responded quickly to an unusual situation Nov. 20 - a plane crash.
"A code one went out, which is an airplane crash," she said. "And you just don't hear that in Columbia County."
The plane nose-dived into a pond bank only a few hundred yards from a day care center off Furys Ferry Road. Tucker said the fire department responded in two minutes, the sheriff's office in three minutes and an ambulance in four minutes. The pilot was airlifted to a hospital and survived.
"From an emergency response standpoint, that's awesome," Tucker said, adding that the pilot also deserved a little appreciation.
"The pilot, too, did a good job laying that plane down in a residential area near a day care," she said.
For the county's teamwork, Tucker presented representatives of the Columbia County Sheriff's Office, Gold Cross EMS and the Martinez Fire Department a plaque of appreciation, saying, "They truly deserve a pat on the back."
County Commissioner Tommy Mercer said the response was indicative of how the county's emergency response team operates daily.
"To the constituents in the audience tonight, just know that your back is well covered," he said.