16
JUNE 1, 2022
Smoke Signals
Grand Ronde firefighter honored with distinguished conduct award
By Danielle Harrison
Smoke Signals staff writer
Grand Ronde Firefighter/EMT
Erika Alcantar was preparing to
go on shift at an August wildfire
near Canyonville, Ore., when she
received a call that a 15-passenger
fire crew van had crashed nearby.
Four of the occupants were in
critical condition. Additionally,
they were Spanish-speaking and
needed someone to translate their
medical condition to emergency
responders.
Alcantar grew up acting as the
family translator for her mostly
Spanish-speaking parents, so she
quickly sprang into action.
“The driver had fallen asleep and
they crashed and rolled
the vehicle,” she says.
“I did triage as four of
them needed to go to
the hospital.”
The four critical-
ly injured passengers
were treated for their
injuries and recovered
thanks in part to Al-
cantar’s ability to com-
municate their needs
during the emergency.
Her lifesaving efforts Grand Ronde Firefighter/EMT Erika Alcantar turns
didn’t go unnoticed and on a LIFEPAK defibrillator in the back of one of the
she was nominated for Grand Ronde EMT vehicles on Monday, May 16.
a Meritorious Award in
Distinguished Conduct by Oregon
efficiency when faced with a spe-
Fire Chiefs Association members
cific danger or adversity and who
Trampas Bergstrom and Blake
carried out their duties properly
Paulsen. The two are with the Yam-
despite this danger/adversity.”
hill and Garibaldi fire departments
Additionally, the action for which
and also served as task force lead-
the award is earned must go above
ers for the summer wildfire crews
and beyond when compared to ex-
in Canyonville.
pected emergency responder duties.
According to the Fire Chiefs As-
Grand Ronde Emergency Ser-
sociation website, the distinguished
vices Manager and Fire Chief Steve
conduct award may be granted to
Warden says that Alcantar’s award
a member of the fire service who
is rare in the fire service.
“acted with professionalism and
“They don’t give those out like
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candy,” Warden says. “A recom-
mendation is made and then it
gets reviewed, and it was signif-
icant enough that they (Oregon
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June 26, 2022
Photos by Kamiah Koch
Grand Ronde Firefighter/EMT Erika
Alcantar displays her Meritorious
Award in Distinguished Conduct
and award medallion on Monday,
May 16, in front of the emergency
services truck used during the
emergency response for which she
was awarded. Alcantar received
the award in Bend on Thursday,
May 5, from the Oregon Fire Chiefs
Association for simultaneously
administering medical care and
translations during an accident
involving 15 Spanish-speaking
wildland fire crew members in
Canyonville, Ore., on Aug. 15, 2021.
Erika’s actions. Ninety percent of
patient care is communication and
they felt she saved lives that day.
These awards are rare, hard to earn
and we are very proud of her.”
Warden knew that Alcantar
would be honored a few months
beforehand and tried to keep it a
secret, but eventually logistical
issues meant he had to tell her.
She was honored at the Oregon
Fire Chiefs Association annual con-
ference by President Scott Stanton
on Thursday, May 5, in Bend. War-
den, as well as Alcantar’s mother
and sister, were in attendance.
“I teared up as they read through
all of the stuff she had done to help
those folks out,” Warden says. “It
was a moment where I realized I had
made very good decisions on hiring.
Erika has been a leader since day
one. It was a proud moment.”
Alcantar adds that receiving the
honor was “an amazing feeling.”
“I knew the injured passengers
were scared and not sure what
was going on,” she says. “I’m glad
I could help and it felt really good
to represent Grand Ronde with this
award. We have come a long way in
a short time.”
Alcantar has worked for the Tribe
since 2020, starting as a contact
tracer.
“We have awesome people work-
ing here,” Warden says. “If any-
thing, Erika is a beacon for other
folks to follow. We want that kind
of excellence and service to the com-
munity. It’s been an outstanding
experience so far and I hope it will
continue to go that way.” 
BRING
Everyone!
Sunday June 26
9am - 1pm
Water, lunch, and
gardening gloves
if you have them
CALL AND SET UP AN APPOINTMENT TO GET
ASSISTANCE IN FILLING OUT APPLICATION.
Bring with you your most recent utility bills (gas, electric, water, and garbage)
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Proof of income
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Portland Area Office, 4445 S.W. Barbur Blvd, Portland, OR 97239
Please call or e-mail: Joanna Brisbois 503-879-2149 or
joanna.brisbois@grandronde.org