Sun. Dec 3rd, 2023

Clovis Fire Department Battalion Chief awarded the City Manager’s Recognition Award

CLOVIS (KSMX)- City Manager Justin Howalt recently awarded Battalion Chief Joel Gershon, of the Clovis Fire Department, with the City Manager’s Recognition Award.

The award is presented to the City of Clovis employees for going above and beyond in the line of duty.

On October 11, 2019, the Clovis Fire Department responded to a Motor Vehicle Accident on Mabry Drive. Battalion Chief Joel Gershon assumed command and directed emergency crews to deliver emergency care and vehicle stabilization.

One of the families involved was traveling from Fort Bliss, Texas to Albuquerque for the International Balloon Fiesta. Their travel party included a father, mother, and three young children (all in car seats), as well as two dogs. 

The father was air transported shortly after the accident. He had a severe hand injury that required emergency surgery at the University of New Mexico Medical Center in Albuquerque. The mother and three young children were transported to Plains Regional Medical Center in Clovis.

After the wreck, one of the family’s pets ran off towards the train tracks. That dog was not located, and Battalion Chief Gershon transported the other family dog back to his house for safety.

The family had no vehicle or family contacts in the local area.

Knowing that after any major wreck, their car seats would be out of service, Battalion Chief Gershon took the family to a local store to buy new car seats and some other comfort items and let them rest and relax in his own home while another family member was en route from Albuquerque to pick them up.

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