The Rochester Fire Department, together with the Rochester Police Department, recently recognized three civilian residents and 14 first responders with Lifesaver Awards in a ceremony at the Rochester Council on Aging.
The awards were based on two incidents, one in April and one in August, in which a victim suffered cardiac arrest. In both cases, a quick call to 911 triggered prompt responses, allowing cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) to begin immediately while trained staff came to the scene. The arriving Police and Advanced Life Support by the Fire/EMS team then initiated Automatic External Defibrillator (AED) and transported the individuals to hospitals with uninterrupted emergency care (Advanced Cardiac Life Support protocols). These quick and coordinated steps led to a return of spontaneous circulation and a successful outcome for both patients.
The September 24 ceremony was well attended and allowed the recipients and their families, friends and colleagues to share a very special moment.
Not long after midnight on August 27, Michael Isabelle of Mendall Road collapsed at his home. His wife, Jean, was home and quickly called 911. Over the phone, the responder gave Jean step-by-step instructions on reviving him using CPR. Patrolmen Gene Robinson and Andrew Bumpus soon arrived, administered AED and continued the CPR.
Less than five minutes later, Lieutenant Andrew Weigel and Firefighter/Paramedic Chris Brasells pulled the ambulance into the driveway. Following ACLS protocols, they instituted “Life Pac 15” (two shots in rhythm) to stabilize and regulate Mike’s heartbeat.
As other police and firefighters arrived, they got Isabelle safely into the ambulance, where treatment continued as he was transported to Tobey Hospital in Wareham. After an assessment, he was transferred to Charlton Hospital in Fall River where he underwent surgery and was supported during his recovery.
Isabelle himself, along with his family, attended the celebration. They wanted to be part of thanking and recognizing the first responders who were on the call the night of his collapse and were honored to meet and shake hands with the “awesome team” responsible for saving his life. He also wanted his kids and grandkids to see Jean accept her award as a Civilian LifeSaver for her critical role.
There were two other civilian recipients at the COA that day, as they are frequently as breakfast volunteers.
In fact, it was breakfast time on April 18 when another life was saved.
Vincent “Vinny” Ryan, a long-time, favorite “regular” at the center, was there to enjoy breakfast with his wife and friends when he appeared to go into cardiac arrest.
Roxanne Costa and Patricia Joy, both retired nurses who were helping out that day, jumped into action. Being trained in ACLS, they began CPR as the center staff made the 911 call and initiated electroshock with the AED device always available in the common room.
When the EMT’s arrived, Ryan was conscious and able to speak with the paramedics. He was transported safely to a local hospital and from there to Boston Medical Center.
Ryan’s overall health was quite fragile at this time, and the family feared he would not survive the episode. Yet he lived for a few more weeks, passing peacefully on May 24.
His children and grandchildren felt blessed and grateful to have those precious weeks with him, time made possible by the prompt and professional responses of those involved. And time was also given to his devoted wife, Patricia Ryan, who died at home surrounded by family three days later on May 27. They had celebrated their 63rd wedding anniversary earlier in May.
It’s stories like these, and others over the years, that prompt Rochester Fire Department Chief Scott Weigel and Police Chief Michael Assad to honor those who, with personal fortitude and without hesitation, took the needed steps to save lives.
2024 Honorees
Civilian Lifesaver Award: Jean Isabelle, Patricia Joy, Roxanne Costa.
Lifesaver Award: Lieutenant Andrew Weigel, Firefighter/Paramedics Chris Brasells, Alex Wheeler, Mike Mentzer, Patrolmen Gene Robinson, Andrew Bumpus.
911 Lifesaver Award: Regional Old Colony Communications Center (ROCCC): Roderick Gillis, dispatch; Christina Manning, RPD-RFD liaison; Patrick Moran, CPR instruction.
Certificates of Recognition – Lifesaver: Paramedics Lawrence Machado, Tiago Medeiros, EMT Brendan O’Connor, Firefighter/EMT Matthew Horn, Firefighter Steve Borowiecki.
By Mary McCann Fiske