Samantha McKenzie prevented every parent’s nightmare, and now she wants to follow up.
The 24-year-old Culkin volunteer firefighter and EMT and Warren County Dispatcher saved an infant’s life as the baby was choking inside Walmart the weekend before Halloween.
However, she and county officials have been unable to get in contact with the child’s family since the choking incident.
“I was at Walmart costume shopping and my husband told me there was a baby choking. At first I didn’t believe him,” McKenzie said.
She sprang into action, using the skills she’s honed at the fire department and through EMT training.
“You really don’t think. Everything you’ve learned kicks in and you do what you’re supposed to do and freak out about it later,” McKenzie said.
She was unable to get the name of the family or the child and searching since has been unsuccessful.
Warren County Fire Coordinator Jerry Briggs said the child survived, but he has been unable to contact the family.
“We’ve been trying to find out a little bit more about it,” McKenzie said.
McKenzie joined the Culkin Volunteer Fire Department at 19 at the urging of her husband, Jeremy. She’s one of just four women who volunteer with the fire department.
“At first I was terrified,” she said.
But after responding to her first house fire, she was hooked.
“It’s the biggest adrenaline rush ever,” she said.
Since then, she’s been known to push her less brave counterparts out of the way to rush into a burning home and has one of the county’s most recognizable fire helmets.
“It’s camouflage with a pink shield on it,” she said.
In January 2012, she entered the front line behind the scenes of emergency services as a Warren County E-911 dispatcher. McKenzie is ready for anything that comes her way, said Chuck Tate, interim director of E-911 and a fellow Culkin firefighter.
“She’s one of our young folks who are up and coming. It’s what we need more of,” Tate said.
When she isn’t fighting fires, saving lives or answering 911 calls, McKenzie likes outdoor activities and spending time where her twin 6-year-old daughters, Emma and Zoe. Both seem to want to follow in their mother’s footsteps.
“They love going to the fire department. They always want to go,” McKenzie said.