Bakersfield Fire Department Reserve Firefighter Sean Stevens was in Las Vegas, Nevada and attended the Route 91 Harvest Festival on Sunday, October 1.
During that event, when gunfire erupted from a nearby Casino, BFD Reserve Firefighter Stevens immediately fled the area, consistent with law enforcement recommendations for the civilian population, but he did not go alone.
Instead, BFD Reserve Firefighter Stevens led a group of other civilian concert-goers who were trying to escape the terrifying and deadly scene out of the line of fire.
BFD Reserve Firefighter Stevens eventually guided the group to safety, taking shelter in a nearby building, out of range from the gunfire.
Once the gunfire was fired off, BFD Reserve Firefighter Stevens, unaware of the whereabouts or the condition of the suspected shooter, returned to venue to help those who unfortunately could not escape.
BFD Reserve Firefighter Stevens immediately began triaging the victims and treating the injured, applying direct pressure to wounds or applying makeshift tourniquets in extreme circumstances.
Other efforts by BFD Reserve Firefighter Stevens to help the wounded involved identifying the victims’ injuries, identifying the proper treatment, and instructing others nearby on how they too could render aid.
Message from BFD Fire Chief Douglas R. Greener: “We’re extremely proud of the actions taken by BFD Reserve Firefighter Sean Stevens. Not only did he utilize his Fire Department training to assist with the field triage and treatment of those with traumatic gunshot injuries, he did so under the constant threat and potential of continued automatic gunfire. On behalf of the men and women of the Bakersfield Fire Department, we thank him for his selfless and exceptional service.”
