Kellene StockwellChannel 2 News
The Washoe County Health District honored heroes Thursday for their efforts during September's deadly Reno Air Races crash.
More than 50 first responder agencies were honored for their efforts in the minutes after Jimmy Leeward's P51 plane crashed at the Reno-Stead Airport. The ceremony took place inside the county's office located at east Ninth Street.
Less than an hour and a half after the crash, 56 injured victims had been transported to three local hospitals. And within two hours groups established a family assistance center for friends and relatives of the victims and survivors.
But even hearing these numbers and seeing worldwide response to their actions -- these heroes are once again saying it's the community that deserves the credit.
"People in the field, the ones that did the work, the people who drove the ambulances, provided the car to the people out there and the community came together. People in the stands helped out and lives were saved that day because everyone worked together," says Brian Taylor, director of Emergency Management.
Reno Championship Air Races President & CEO Mike Houghton adds, "We all pulled together, it was a horrible, tragic event that took place and as a community, we couldn't have come together more tightly. We took care of the families of the deceased, we took care of the injured, we had a great memorial service and top to bottom this community starred."
Both Houghton and Taylor say continual training and preparation helped save lives.
Just about 15 seconds after the WWII-era aircraft nose-dived, responders were on the scene to help.
Just five days after the crash REMSA saw response from as far as away as Spain praising them for their work that day.
