Astoria honors firefighter Wade Matthews on retirement; crew awarded Lifesaver coins after rescue

The Astoria City Council recognized Lieutenant Wade Matthews on Dec. 15 as he prepares to retire after 25 years with the Astoria Fire Department.

Fire Chief Dan Crutchfield described Matthews’ career, noting promotions to engineer and lieutenant and Matthews’ role coordinating Office of State Fire Marshal Hazmat Team 11. Chief Crutchfield and the mayor presented a retirement plate; Matthews said working for the city has been an honor and thanked fellow firefighters and family.

Chief Crutchfield also presented Lifesaver coins to firefighters Gage Begay, Justin Whitney, Joe Greenan and Andrew Peterson for a Nov. 26 response to a 40-year-old driver who suffered a seizure and then stopped breathing. The crew used a ZOLL cardiac monitor (detecting a V‑fib rhythm), delivered a shock, established intraosseous (IO) access in the tibia, placed a King airway, administered 1 milligram epinephrine (1:10,000), and applied a Lucas mechanical CPR device while two firefighters rode with medics to the hospital. The patient regained a pulse in transit and was later released from care.

Chief Crutchfield thanked partner agencies — 9‑1‑1 dispatch, Astoria Police Department, Medics Ambulance and Columbia Memorial Hospital — and the council applauded the crew.

What it means: the city publicly honored a long-serving firefighter and highlighted cross-agency emergency response that saved a life.