Off-Duty Georgia Firefighter Recognized After Saving Seven in Head-On Collision

By MES Dispatch staff

The Briefing

• • Off-duty Columbus Fire & EMS Firefighter Richard Barfield Jr. is being honored for saving seven people after a head-on collision in Georgia. FireRescue1
• • The crash occurred in November; Barfield was not on duty when he encountered the wreckage. FireRescue1
• • He carried two children and an infant to safety and cleared an unconscious father’s airway. FireRescue1
• • Barfield provided medical care to multiple victims until additional responders arrived. FireRescue1
• • A ceremony will be scheduled to formally recognize his actions. FireRescue1

COLUMBUS, GA — An off-duty Columbus Fire & EMS firefighter is being honored for actions that helped save seven people following a head-on collision in November, authorities said. FireRescue1

Firefighter Richard Barfield Jr. was named Piedmont Columbus Regional’s First Friday Hero for January after encountering the crash while off duty, according to a news release from the hospital system. FireRescue1

Barfield stopped his vehicle and ran toward the wreckage, where he assisted a young girl attempting to exit one of the vehicles, carried her to safety and returned to rescue a trapped small boy. FireRescue1

Officials said Barfield also located an infant inside the wreckage, freed the child and carried him to safety. He then cleared debris from an unconscious father’s airway and provided medical support until additional first responders arrived. FireRescue1

Barfield continued to triage and care for multiple victims at the scene, the release said. A recognition ceremony will be held at a later, unspecified date. FireRescue1