Piedmont Columbus Regional has named Richard Barfield Jr. with Columbus Fire & EMS as the organization’s First Friday Hero for January.
Barfield came upon the immediate aftermath of a severe head-on collision while off duty. Without hesitation, he stopped his truck and ran directly toward the wreckage to help save seven people involved in the accident.
Upon reaching the first car, Barfield found a young girl trying to crawl out. He carried her to a safe place away from traffic before returning to rescue a small boy trapped in the car. Barfield broke a window to extract the boy and reunite with his sister. He returned to the car where he found the mother of the children partially out of the passenger side and was badly injured. When the mother alerted him that her four-month-old son was still missing, Barfield Jr. crawled back into the wrecked car to find the baby. He freed the infant and recognized an injury to the boy’s head and carried him to safety. Soon after, Barfield was informed the driver, the father, remained trapped, unconscious and not breathing. Barfield immediately cleared debris from the driver’s airway so he could begin breathing again. He then utilized trauma kits to stabilize the driver’s head wound, and when additional first responders arrived, he assisted in cutting through the car to free the pinned driver.
Throughout the incident, Barfield continued to triage and provide medical support. He organized the scene, ensured traffic and fire hazards were contained, and worked alongside EMS personnel, who transported all critical patients to Piedmont Columbus Regional’s Emergency Trauma Center and Pediatric Emergency Department. Because of Richard Barfield Jr.’s quick thinking, medical knowledge and selfless courage, many lives were saved.
A ceremony with Barfield and hospital leadership will be held later to commend him for his response. His story is also featured throughout the hospital on commemorative posters and Piedmont Columbus Regional’s social media pages.
Piedmont Columbus Regional created the First Friday Hero program in 2016 to recognize first responders and everyday heroes each month who have gone above and beyond the call of duty.
“Their line of work is often a thankless job, and we want to make the community aware of what our local heroes do to make the Chattahoochee Valley a safer place,” said Piedmont Columbus Regional CEO Scott Hill.
