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Fairchild Airman named Red Cross Hometown Hero

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Mackenzie Richardson
  • 92nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
FAIRCHILD AIR FORCE BASE, Wash. --  Master Sgt. Stephanie Horn, 92nd Medical Group health services manager, was recognized by the American Red Cross Association Feb. 26, by being named an American Red Cross Hometown Hero for her lifesaving actions in January 2015 in Spokane, Washington.

In early 2015, Horn was with her husband and two children at the annual Inland Northwest RV Show when her husband witnessed a woman collapse. After hearing anxious shouts for medical personnel and emergency services, Horn, along with a few other bystanders, ran to the woman's aid and conducted chest compressions for 25 continuous minutes until emergency medical technicians arrived.

"As members of the military, one of the things we are prepared for is to serve our country, potentially in places without access to medical aid," said Lt. Col. James Stryd, 92nd MDG chief nurse. "It doesn't matter if you're medical personnel or not. We're all trained how to take care of ourselves and our buddies."

Horn was interviewed about her experience and was chosen as one of the Greater Inland Northwest's Hometown Heroes. The interview is scheduled to play at the American Red Cross Hometown Heroes banquet to honor Horn for her lifesaving actions. Each year, individuals and organizations from the northwest region who have made a positive impact on the lives of others, whether through a lifesaving action or tireless work to benefit the community, are recognized.

Horn conducted chest compressions on the woman, rotating with three other individuals. Without access to an Automated Defibrillator, the individuals operated solely based on the skills they learned from training. Without the accessibility of CPR pocket masks, chest compressions were their only means of keeping the woman alive.

"The importance of paying attention to the training cannot be emphasized enough," Horn said. "Everyone has busy lives, but you never know when you're going to have to use the training to make a difference."

Horn receives training every two years to maintain her Heartsaver certification. Prior to the incident, she didn't have any practical application of the training; however, she stepped up and because of her actions received an Air Force Achievement medal.

"It's a natural human response to think someone else will step up," Horn said. "The military trains us to be the person who steps up. Someone else is not going to do something, we have to -- doing nothing is never an option."