Kilgore firefighters awarded for life-saving response (2024)

Weather Alert

...The Flood Warning continues for the following rivers in Texas...Sabine River At Longview affecting Rusk and Gregg Counties.For the Sabine River...including Mineola, Hawkins, Gladewater,Longview, Beckville, Logansport...Moderate flooding is forecast.PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...Do not drive cars through flooded areas.Caution is urged when walking near riverbanks.Turn around, don't drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flooddeaths occur in vehicles.Motorists should not attempt to drive around barricades or drivecars through flooded areas.For more hydrologic information, copy and paste the following websiteaddress into your favorite web browser URL bar:https://water.noaa.gov/wfo/SHVThe next statement will be issued Sunday evening at 830 PM CDT.&&...FLOOD WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE...* WHAT...Moderate flooding is occurring and moderate flooding isforecast.* WHERE...Sabine River at Longview.* WHEN...Until further notice.* IMPACTS...At 35.0 feet, Expect severe flooding of several thousandacres of river bottom along with petroleum equipment, secondaryroadways, and several structures. Preparations should be completedfor a major flooding event.* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...- At 8:00 PM CDT Saturday the stage was 33.3 feet.- Bankfull stage is 25.0 feet.- Recent Activity...The maximum river stage in the 24 hoursending at 8:00 PM CDT Saturday was 34.2 feet.- Forecast...The river is expected to fall to 29.7 feetThursday evening.- Flood stage is 25.0 feet.- Flood History...This crest compares to a previous crest of33.3 feet on 12/31/1991.- http://www.weather.gov/safety/flood&&

Weather Alert

...The Flood Warning continues for the following rivers in Texas...Sabine River Near Beckville affecting Panola, Rusk, Harrison andGregg Counties.For the Sabine River...including Mineola, Hawkins, Gladewater,Longview, Beckville, Logansport...Moderate flooding is forecast.PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...Do not drive cars through flooded areas.Caution is urged when walking near riverbanks.Turn around, don't drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flooddeaths occur in vehicles.Motorists should not attempt to drive around barricades or drivecars through flooded areas.For more hydrologic information, copy and paste the following websiteaddress into your favorite web browser URL bar:https://water.noaa.gov/wfo/SHVThe next statement will be issued Sunday evening at 830 PM CDT.&&...FLOOD WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE...* WHAT...Minor flooding is occurring and minor flooding is forecast.* WHERE...Sabine River near Beckville.* WHEN...Until further notice.* IMPACTS...At 30.0 feet, Expect moderate to severe flooding of thelowland floodplain for the next several days.* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...- At 7:45 PM CDT Saturday the stage was 29.9 feet.- Bankfull stage is 25.0 feet.- Recent Activity...The maximum river stage in the 24 hoursending at 7:45 PM CDT Saturday was 30.1 feet.- Forecast...The river is expected to fall to 28.0 feetThursday evening.- Flood stage is 26.0 feet.- Flood History...This crest compares to a previous crest of29.9 feet on 10/30/2009.- http://www.weather.gov/safety/flood&&

Lucas Strough
Lucas Strough
Reporter

I'm an East Texas native with degrees from University of North Texas and Kilgore College. I've been reporting and taking photographs for Kilgore News Herald since May 2018. Telling the story of a growing and changing community is the best part of my job.

Author email
Jun 14, 2024
Jun 14, 2024

Two Kilgore firefighters were awarded at a recent city council meeting for their lifesaving actions in the course of duty.

Kilgore Fire Department Chief Mark Henderson presented KFD Captain Robert King and firefighter Chris Hanco*ck with “lifesaving” pins and certificates at the meeting.

Henderson explained the firefighting “lifesaving” pin is awarded when firefighters arrive at a scene or encounter a person in serious medical distress with no vital signs or breathing, then resuscitate the person who is then transported to a healthcare facility.

The chief told city council members and those in the chambers how Hanco*ck was recently at Walmart near the automotive section when he noticed a person beginning to convulse.

Hanco*ck immediately ran over to provide assistance and was able to safely lay the person on the ground, “literally catching him.”

After asking the man’s girlfriend if he had any known medical conditions, Hanco*ck then notified dispatch to get EMS in route.

“The patient was clenching his teeth and drooling before he stopped breathing and became unconscious,” Henderson said.

“(Hanco*ck) checked for breathing and a pulse, the patient had none. Hanco*ck immediately began CPR. Capt. King then came around the corner and saw CPR in progress. He ran to get the medical bag and came back to the scene and the patient had regained consciousness but was very confused. They grabbed a rebreather and placed it on the patient’s face. After several minutes, the patient became more cognizant but was extremely confused about what happened. Capt. King then established an IV. Shortly after, EMS transported the patient.”

After the council and the public applauded the two life-saving firefighters, Henderson explained that the pin is awarded only in cases when the patient involved recovers and leaves the hospital.

“I’m glad to announce that a few days later the patient, who wishes to remain anonymous, came by the station to thank Captain King and Chris Hanco*ck for their lifesaving efforts and quick responses. He said he is feeling much better and was only in the hospital for a short time,” the chief said.

He added such a good outcome was especially inspiring for all of KFD.

“We don’t get to do this very often and have positive outcomes. So, when we do, it’s always uplifting for the whole department. It lets us know why we do what we do, why we’re willing to miss holidays, birthdays, graduations, because those things are minor in comparison to saving a life. These two young men have definitely done that.”

King has four total pins from his time with KFD, and this is the first such award for firefighter Hanco*ck.

— Lucas Strough can be reached at lstrough@kilgorenewsherald.com.

Lucas Strough

Reporter

I'm an East Texas native with degrees from University of North Texas and Kilgore College. I've been reporting and taking photographs for Kilgore News Herald since May 2018. Telling the story of a growing and changing community is the best part of my job.

Author email

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