The Carver Select Board recognized the potentially life-saving efforts of Carver first responders on emergency calls this year in a ceremony at Carver Middle High School on Thursday, Dec. 11.
The board recognized first responders who responded to three calls related to cardiac events.
On June 26, first responders received a call that someone was experiencing “cardiac-related” symptoms, according to Carver EMS Chief Michael Ryan. The location was not specified, however, Michael Ryan said that while en route to the scene, the person went unresponsive and once on scene, the Carver Police Department performed CPR and applied an AED. Once the EMS crew was on site, according to Michael Ryan, the patient received life-saving intervention that let their heart start beating again on its own.
On this call, the Select Board recognized paramedics Tyler Reardon, Selina Rossman, Katherine Borkowski, EMT Tyler Sampson and EMT Eric Fichtenmayer. The board also recognized Carver Police Sgt. Dennis Rizzuto, Officer Laicey Ieronimo and Officer Christopher Mahoney.
On Sept. 28, police responded to a person who collapsed on Main Street. After beginning CPR and applying an AED, they transferred the person to EMS care and to be transported to a hospital, Michael Ryan said. When they arrived at the hospital, the person’s heart was beating on its own.
“The patient survived the cardiac event in a very large part, again, due to the teamwork of all the public safety members involved in their care,” Michael Ryan said.
The board recognized paramedics Jim Wilson, Jake Warmington, Jackie Giroux and Operations Officer Rick Kates of Carver EMS. They recognized Sgt. William Kelly, Sgt. Michael Wall and Detective Joshua Shaw of the Carver Police Department.
On Oct. 18, someone was reported unresponsive near the main entrance of King Richard’s Faire. Fair staff and bystanders gave the person CPR and Carver police applied an AED, transferring the person into the care of Carver EMS so they could be brought to the hospital. Their heart was beating again before leaving for the hospital.
The board gave life-saving awards to paramedics Jim Wilson, Matt Demers, Tim Dunham, Jackie Giroux, Operations Officer Rick Kates and EMT Joe Venti. Sgt. David Heikkila, Officer Mark Pasionek of the Carver Police Department also received this award.
During the ceremony, members of the Select Board, state congressional delegation and other local officials shared their appreciation for the work of first responders.
“I think Carver has some of the finest first responders,” state Sen. Kelly Dooner (R-Taunton) said. “I think the work that you guys do on a daily basis often doesn’t get the credit that it deserves.”
State Rep. John Gaskey (R-Carver) shared a similar perspective.
“Everybody says that we are the standard-bearers for the entire state,” Gaskey said. “And for that I appreciate you guys.”
Select Board member Dan Ryan spoke about how first responders have an impact on Carver’s residents.
“As a citizen of Carver, and all citizens, sometimes our lives are in your hands,” Dan Ryan said. “We’re really appreciative that you are trained and you know the techniques to do some lifesaving things for the citizens.”
Contact Nick Mossman at nick@carverjournal.com
