James had just finished a shift at his fire department. He was driving home via SR-202 toward Stanwood when traffic ahead began to slow. Hazard lights. From two cars back, he could tell this wasn't a fender bender.
He pulled over, retrieved his Scherber Ultimate Professional EMT Medical Kit from his truck, and walked toward the scene.
The Scene
A small sedan had been involved in a low-speed collision with a commercial box truck. A Subaru had struck the truck at significantly higher speed. James began triaging. Two patients appeared minor. Then he located a third — approximately 25-30 yards down an embankment, struck by a vehicle and thrown from the roadside.
James moved down the slope, opened his kit, and went to work.
The Response
With assistance from a bystander later identified as an off-duty police officer, James initiated a primary assessment: circulation, airway, breathing. He performed a rapid trauma assessment, used trauma shears to expose injuries, and directed manual cervical spine stabilization.
Using equipment from his Scherber kit, he applied a cervical collar and initiated oxygen therapy via non-rebreather mask while working to keep the patient calm and stable.
The patient reported they had been standing on the roadside speaking with 9-1-1 when they were struck.
Shortly after, crews from Snohomish Regional Fire & Rescue arrived, assumed command, and continued patient care alongside James while managing scene hazards. A modified technical rescue was established using a roof ladder and rope system to safely move the patient up the embankment. The patient was then transported by medic unit.
In the days following, James received updates that the patient made a full recovery.
The Kit
James had purchased the Ultimate Professional EMT Medical Kit over a year prior. As a recently retired U.S. Navy veteran pursuing full-time fire service employment, he kept a kit in his vehicle at all times. His family often traveled to areas beyond reasonable emergency response times, and he wanted to be prepared.
After purchasing, he customized the kit with additional airway supplies, splinting materials, heat and cold therapy, and medications including Naloxone, Albuterol, Aspirin, Epinephrine, and Oxygen. The foundation of it all was the Scherber kit — complete equipment, organized compartments, built for exactly this kind of moment.
In His Own Words
"The skills I have learned, paired with the tools provided in your kit, enabled immediate action and meaningful care during a critical moment. I have since shown the gear bag to many colleagues, several of whom are considering purchasing kits for personal and departmental use."
James was later recognized at an awards ceremony by the responding fire district for his actions that day. He has since begun pursuing CPR instructor certification with a goal of training community members in CPR, basic first aid, and life stabilization skills.
His kit remains in whichever vehicle he drives. Ready to deploy at a moment's notice.
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