Derrick Butler, Jr. Named October Firefighter of the Month

The Mobile Fire-Rescue Department proudly announces Fire Service Driver Derrick J. Butler, Sr. as the October 2022 Firefighter of the Month. Driver Butler began his career with MFRD in January 2008. Butler spent more than a decade serving as a committed firefighter before promoting to Fire Service Driver in March of 2022. He is currently assigned as the Paramedic Driver on Rescue 22 at MFRD’s Tapia Fire Station (4710 Airport Blvd).

Driver Butler’s recent service has been nothing short of remarkable, with Butler receiving 2 Life Saving Awards (March 2021, June 2022), promoting in rank (March 2022), completing paramedic school and passing National Registry to become a practicing Paramedic (June 2022) with aspirations of attending medical school.

In March 2021, while still a first-semester paramedic student, Butler and his crew (E20) responded to a pregnant juvenile in premature labor. The infant was in breech position, with a leg presenting. With the closest advanced life support ambulance miles away, contractions progressing, and two lives potentially at risk, Butler and crew intervened and aided in delivery. Remembering his training, Butler checked for umbilical chord positioning and discovered that the chord was wrapped around the infant’s neck.

As the baby was closer and closer to full delivery, Butler was able to slip his fingers under the chord, relieving pressure until he was able to fully remove the chord over the child’s head. The child was blue and not breathing post-delivery. Butler and crew quickly performed CPR and provided supplemental oxygen until, miraculously, the baby cried. With paramedics on scene, mother and newborn were treated and transported to a hospital for care.

On June 26, 2022, Engine 12 was dispatched for a call on the Interstate-65 overpass at Dauphin St. Upon arrival, the crew discovered a visibly distraught, suicidal, female patient standing on the edge of the overpass, threatening to jump.

Slowly easing their way toward the patient, Engine12’s crew, including Driver Butler, attempted to calm the patient and talk her away from the ledge. Driver Butler was able to get close enough to the patient to grab her and pull her to safety before she was able to jump.

“She was right there, and I was close enough. It was really just a reaction. My body moved before I could even think of what to do,” proclaimed Butler.

Driver Butler’s heroism and commitment to consistently improving himself for the sake of others is worthy of admiration, and the Mobile Fire-Rescue Department is proud to recognize him as October 2022 Firefighter of the Month.