TAYLOR’S HERO

WRITER: THERESA CAMPBELL

Lake County Fire Rescue Lt. Shannon Bush doesn’t believe his swift actions of saving a little girl from drowning were extraordinary, but the family of Taylor Washburn thinks otherwise.

They call him a hero.

The emergency medical technician, a 1992 Leesburg High School graduate, was recently honored as Firefighter of the Year at the second annual Lake County Fire Rescue Awards Ceremony, and he was also lauded by Elks Lodge No. 1578 for his heroic efforts.

Shannon, 42, says he was doing what he was trained to do.

“None of us are heroes in our eyes; we’re just doing our jobs,” says the veteran EMT, who works at Station No. 53 in Fruitland Park. “I think I was put on earth to do what I do.”

Shannon was on vacation with his wife, Krista, and their son, Jordan, now 2, at an Orlando resort in May 2015, when he sprang into action after Krista heard someone yell, “Call 911!”

Once he noticed a lifeless, unresponsive little girl being pulled from the pool, Shannon immediately began administering cardio resuscitation. He continued to do compressions while others took turns giving her breath.

After about two minutes, the child had a strong pulse and she began moving. Emergency personnel arrived within minutes to take Taylor Washburn, 4, of Columbus, Ohio, to the hospital. She was treated and released the next day.

Lake County Public Safety Director John Jolliff, said law enforcement officers, EMTs, and firefighters are always expected to be ready to act in emergency situations, even when they are off duty.

“Lt. Shannon Bush is a true testament to the notion that firefighters are never off duty. Although he continually shies away from being labeled a hero, his actions that day were nothing short of heroic, and will forever impact the lives of the family he touched,” says the chief. “Lt. Shannon Bush is a prime example of the caliber of firefighters that make up Lake County Fire.”

Shannon says it was “amazing and pretty cool” to be honored by his peers and named Firefighter of the Year.

He was surprised and touched that the Washburn family drove from Ohio to be present and cheer for him when he received his top award.

Taylor, who will soon turn 5, was photographed hugging her favorite firefighter on stage in front of hundreds. Her family gave Shannon a teddy bear with a little heartbeat to remember her by.

It’s not likely he’ll ever forget Taylor.

“Her family constantly thanks me and praises me,” Shannon says. “We’re friends now, friends for life.”

He delights in getting regular text messages and updates from Taylor’s mother, who recently told him Taylor will be in kindergarten in the fall, and that she passed academic tests geared for the first-grade level.

Taylor was the first child Shannon has saved in his nearly 15year career, though he has saved the lives of several adults.

He hopes his actions in saving little Taylor inspires others to learn CPR.

“Definitely there’s a value in CPR. It’s the best thing for anybody who is unresponsive and the heart is no longer beating. Quick CRP saves lives,” he says.

Facts

• Each day in the U.S., 10 people die from drowning and two of these are children under the age of 14.

• Florida has the highest drowning rate in the nation for children under 14, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control.

• For information about CPR classes, see www. heartsoflakeco.com to find one near you.