Face to Face
Bill Keil
Tech Medic/Pipeline Security Officer

Bill Keil fulfilled his father’s dream by moving to Alaska 15 years ago. His father wanted to live in the 49th state but never made it. So, when the opportunity presented itself, Bill left his job as a law enforcement officer and part-time prison transport U.S. Marshal and moved away from the “mountains” of Nebraska to Alaska. Now he has a home in Palmer and lives on his sailboat in Valdez when working shifts as an Alyeska tech medic.

The American Red Cross of Alaska recently honored Bill with its Medical Rescue Award for helping to rescue a child after a swimming pool accident in 2004.

Q: What special training do you have?

I’m trained in Alyeska security procedures and emergency medical response. I’m a licensed paramedic and EMT-III certified.

Q: What continuing education is required?

I complete at least 200 hours of emergency medical procedures continuing education and 50 hours of security continuing education each year. Our response team actually has very few emergencies, so it is easy to get rusty. Consequently, our continuing education is critical. We have several options for completing our annual training, I ride along with the fire department, work in an emergency room and in an operating room. We’re required to spend at least 50 hours annually working in an operating room to keep our advanced airway skills current.

Q: Why did you receive the Medical Rescue Award?

In March of 2004, my wife and son were with me in Valdez and we visited the local swimming pool on my day off. While we were there, the lifeguards discovered a child who had been underwater for several minutes. I came to the child’s aid and realized the equipment that we had available was intended for use on an adult. I quickly modified it and we opened the child’s airways to more effectively deliver oxygen to the child’s brain. The lifeguards and I were able to save the child’s life and reduce the chance of brain damage. The child left the hospital two days later with no evidence of permanent damage.

The American Red Cross of Alaska selected me as one of its Medical Rescue Award recipients because of my involvement with this event.