Monee Fire Protection District firefighter/paramedics successfully resuscitated a village resident who had collapsed and was in need of immediate care. That’s not really news for MFPD, as their crews actually have done that four times in just two years.
But the five-member crew and three Monee patrol officers still deserved some recognition, not to mention bragging rights. Zoll Medical Corporation agreed, presenting them with life saving awards and Challenge Coins.
Zoll Medical is an Asahi Kasei Group Company that develops and markets medical devices and software solutions to help advance emergency care and save lives, while increasing clinical and operational efficiencies
“Congratulations to FF/PM Santilli, FF/PM Kujawa, FF/PM Milbourn, FF/PM Chavero, FF/EMT Peterson, and FF/PM Arteaga, along with police officers Jaco, Avers, and Sepe,” Assistant Chief Mark Seliga said last week.
“This is our fourth successful revival in the last two years. We are always proud of our crews when they do an amazing job like this,” he said.
“Our EMS Coordinator FF/PM Rozhon recently has started an award program to recognize the members when they have a successful call like this one,” Seliga added.
“We also have been recognized by Saint James Olympia Fields for most accurately called STEMI alerts in the field. What this means for our residents is that we are among the best at quickly identifying heart attacks and beginning treatment and activating early intervention at the hospitals.”
Patient privacy laws prohibit disclosing the identification of the man involved. But Seliga was able to tell what happened that night.
“Our crews were dispatched in the early evening to a call for an unresponsive male,” he explained. “The patient’s wife had witnessed him collapse and called 911.
“The Monee Fire Protection District responds to that type of call with at least two ambulances and an engine. All ambulances and our engines are Advanced Life Support (ALS) and can provide an array of life-saving treatments. Our ambulances and Engine 55 also are outfitted with an Autopulse, which is a device that, when used properly, can provide the most effective CPR.
“Once the crew arrived, they immediately started ALS Treatment. This crew was experienced, all with several years of shift work behind them,” Seliga noted.
“This crew was able to provide all life saving care, including IVs, securing the airway, medications, and utilizing the Autopulse in a rapid fashion. The crew was able to attain ROSC (return of spontaneous circulation) in roughly 11 minutes from time of arrival.”
MFPD’s impressive record comes with talented crews and significant effort.
“We achieve this with constant training and by also having the newest equipment to keep us ahead of the curve when it comes to serving our community,” Seliga said.
“We have really been focusing on life saving treatment and equipment, and the crews are doing an amazing job.”