Three Life-Saving Incidents Prompt Awards for Ferndale First Responders
(Lilly Crossley, May 18, 2023)
Ferndale, MI – On May 8th, 2023, Ferndale Fire Chief Theresa Robinson presented awards to first responders related to three life-saving incidents. She shared stories of the rescues at the City Council meeting.
The first incident, which occurred on December 3rd, 2022, involved a patient that fell. When Ferndale PD Officer Christopher Wiacek arrived on the scene, he noted that the fallen patient was in cardiac arrest.
Officer Wiacek initiated lifesaving efforts by performing CPR and ventilation, as well as attaching an AED to the patient. The Ferndale Fire Department arrived on scene, and they noted that the patient had no pulse, and extremely faint respiration.
Advanced life support was initiated and supported by Sgt. Mihora, and firefighters Stolz, Markabani, and Petrovsky.
A LUCAS device was placed on the patient to provide CPR compressions.
After a few minutes, the patient began to show signs of life with arm movement and gag reflex to the airway device that was in place. The patient was reassessed and noted to have a pulse at a very slow rate, so the firefighters utilized the cardiac monitor to pace the patient’s heart at a rate more adequate to sustain life.
With the cardiac monitor giving continuous control of his heart rate, the patient regained consciousness and was able to speak to the crew caring for him. The patient’s heart continued its pace until he received an internal pacemaker at the hospital, and he was later discharged with full function. This successful outcome is because of the prompt, skilled actions that were taken by the responders that day.
The second incident occurred on December 19th, 2022. The weather was mild that day, so firefighters Chevela and Petrovsky, asked for permission to do fire training outside, along the side of the station.
While they were training, they witnessed a car drive into the bike lane and over the curb before crashing into the light control box just south of the 9 Mile intersection. They immediately notified dispatch for the Police Department and a fire engine, and they quickly got into the ambulance.
Bystanders pulled the patient from the car and were initiating CPR as the crew pulled up with the ambulance. The patient was not breathing, nor did they have a pulse.
Cardiac monitor pads were placed on the patient, revealing no cardiac function at all. A LUCAS device was then placed on the patient to perform CPR compressions while the crew performed other lifesaving care. The Engine 2 crew, Lt. Bracali and firefighter Staub, arrived at the scene and helped provide advanced life support care. A device was placed into the patient’s airway to deliver respiration, and medication was administered.
Electrical activity was then noted on the cardiac monitor. A reassessment of the patient revealed that they regained a pulse, but rescue breathing was still necessary.
The patient was later discharged from the hospital, and a family member contacted the fire department a few weeks later to say that the patient was doing well. This is another example of the impact quick intervention can have on saving a life.
The third incident involved a 911 call for an infant that was not breathing. Quickly identifying the gravity of the situation, Dispatcher Warthen initiated a dispatch of police and firefighters before she even had all the information she needed to enter into the system.
Her quick thinking allowed for the police to arrive swiftly, and Sgt Toyzan and Officer Link made fast decisions to start vital care for this baby in grave distress. Fire department personnel arrived on scene, and they confirmed that the baby had neither pulse nor adequate respirations.
CPR with ventilation was initiated, and after eight rounds, the baby regained normal skin color, pulse, and respirations. A strong cry was then heard, which was a relief and joyous sound to everyone involved.
The baby’s health continued to improve while in route to the hospital, and after a short stay, they were doing well enough to be discharged home with their family. This call emphasizes the important role all aspects of the process play. The professionalism, training, and quick action by the dispatcher, police officers, and fire department personnel collectively saved this young life.
Each of the first responders involved was presented with an award as recognition by the city for their life-saving efforts. Learn more about the Ferndale Fire Department, which serves Ferndale and Pleasant Ridge, at https://www.ferndalemi.gov/departments/fire-department