PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY, Md. — A Prince George’s County firefighter was recognized with a very special honor. She’s been named National Firefighter of the Year.
MyFoxDC reported that Sara Shaffer is the first woman from Prince George’s County to get the award.
She was honored in part for her heroism in January 2013 when a PGC fire truck was hit by a semi and flipped on its side. Firefighter Shaffer crawled into the rig’s cab and rescued fellow firefighter Lt. Ryan Emmons. Lt. Emmons’ arm was severed in the crash and later reattached. Without medical supplies, she used her body to position his to control the bleeding.
She played a key role in Lt. Emmons’ extrication and stayed with him during transport. When his tourniquet dislodged, she used her hands to apply pressure to his brachial artery until they arrived at the trauma center.
Firefighter Shaffer says she loves being a firefighter. Her father, retired from the Prince George’s County Fire Department after almost 25 years of service, and her uncle and cousin also worked for the department, according to the report.
Shaffer began volunteering at a fire department when she was 18.