233050
230128

Vernon  

Hero nurse does it again

Teresa Hidasi was key in preventing a potentially disastrous situation from developing – not once, but twice.

Teresa is an LPN at Noric House, a Vernon senior's care facility, and is an unsung hero in two fires that could have turned tragic had it not been for her quick actions.

In December 2015, Teresa ran into a room of a resident of Noric House and put out a fire that had been set.

Then on May 15, she once again leapt into action when a resident set his mattress on fire. She ran into the room and pulled the senior off the bed and into the hallway.

That according to her husband, Stephen, who, ironically, has been a volunteer with the BX/Swan Lake Fire Department for 17 years.

In the December incident, Teresa spent five days in hospital due to smoke inhalation.

“It is some pretty toxic smoke,” said Stephen, adding his wife grabbed a fire extinguisher and put the flames out before Vernon Fire Rescue arrived.

In the May 15 incident, Teresa ran into the room and dragged the senior – who Stephen estimates weighs 70 pounds more than she does – into the hallway before going back into the room to close the window and close the door to starve the flames of oxygen.

“That's what we tell people to do: close the door behind you, but we don't recommend re-entering a burning room to do it,” said Stephen.

“It was fast action by the nurse that prevented it from being more serious,” said VFR Deputy Fire Chief Lawrie Skolrood a day after the May fire.

Unfortunately, Teresa was once again injured while rescuing a resident.

“She hurt her shoulder pulling him off the bed that was on fire,” said Stephen, who had high praise for all of the Noric House for their action in both incidents.

“All the staff there were phenomenal,” he said. “They all pulled together to make sure everyone was safe.”



More Vernon News