TERRE HAUTE, Ind. - Indiana National Guard Technical Sgt. Bram Sanders, a medic from the 181st Medical Group, was honored July 10 for his lifesaving response to a plane crash at the Terre Haute Regional Airport.
Indiana State Fire Marshal Steve Jones presented Sanders, who is assigned to the 19th Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, and high-yield Explosives Enhanced Response Force Package, Medical Element, with the Indiana State Fire Marshal’s Heroic Life Saving Award during a ceremony at Fire Station No. 5 in Terre Haute.
Sanders, serving in his civilian role as a firefighter paramedic, was among the first responders to arrive on the scene May 16 when a World War II-era Grumman TBM-3 Avenger aircraft hit the ground and the airport’s perimeter fence before coming to rest upside-down after the impact.
Sanders extracted the pilot from his parachute harness, moving him away from the wreckage and to safety. Sanders then administered critical care, continuing even after additional emergency medical professionals arrived.
“When I first heard about Technical Sgt. Sanders’ actions that day, I was not the least bit surprised,” said 1st Lt. Eric McGriff, the medical plans officer for the 19th CERFP Medical Element. “He is one of our most experienced medics and has always been a team player. TSgt Sanders is the embodiment of our Air Force Core Values and the 19th CERFP Medical Element is proud to have him on our team.”
The 19th CERFP’s Medical Element operates as a specialized detachment of the 181st Medical Group. It provides rapid-response capabilities in consequence management, including search and extraction, emergency medical services and patient decontamination in support of local, state and federal agencies responding to CBRNE incidents.
Several Airmen from the 181st Intelligence Wing also responded to the crash, offering immediate assistance, helping maintain perimeter security and directing traffic to ensure first responders had rapid access to the incident site.