October 28, 2004
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (SH2004-30)
FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
R. Steve Huffman
Public Information Officer
(251) 208-5806/Fax: (251) 208-5813
E-Mail: huffman@cityofmobile.org
OCTOBER FIREFIGHTER OF THE MONTH
Recently Engine 3, located at Central Fire Station in downtown Mobile, was dispatched to a medical call. When they arrived on the scene the patient met them but the crew had a problem in communicating with the patient. The reason was that the patient was both hearing and speech impaired. Fortunately Firefighter Miguel A. Izaguirre, 35, was working overtime that day with the crew of Engine 3. It just happened that Izaguirre was proficient in American Sign Language and was able to use that skill to communicate with the patient. His professional work enabled the firefighters and firemedics on the scene to first ascertain what was wrong with the patient to determine what level of care to provide and secondly to communicate to the patient what steps they would take to render care to them. This also enabled them to render care in a timely manner and without causing the patient any undue grief. Izaguirre, who has been with the department for 2 years, was nominated by Captain Ray D. Hildreth and was honored at a breakfast Wednesday, October 27, 2004 by the Pleasant Valley Optimist Club. Izaguirre's picture is located along with this release on the Mobile Fire-Rescue Department's web site.
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