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Congratulations to the Coral Gables Fire Department Rescue crews recognized for an outstanding lifesaving response to a medical emergency involving a female patient in cardiac arrest.
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On September 30, 2016, Rescue 1 (Lt. Joseph Fantigrassi, Driver Timothy McAlister, and Paramedic Eric Cos) responded to a 9-1-1 call at 3306 Ponce de Leon Blvd, a Pilates studio. Once the crew arrived they encountered Coral Gables Police Officers performing CPR on an unresponsive 42-year old female. Witnesses on scene reported that the patient possibly had a seizure prior to becoming unresponsive. Initial assessment by the crew revealed the patient was not breathing, did not have a pulse and was in cardiac arrest. Clinically, the patient was dead.
The Rescue crew shocked the patient, intubated her, established intravenous (IV) access and administered an anti-dysrhythmic drug to stabilize the heart rhythm. By the time the patient was transported to Coral Gables Hospital she had regained a pulse with a blood pressure but still remained unresponsive.
Several months after the date of the incident the patient, Carla O’Reilly, contacted the Fire Department to find out who the crew members were that saved her life. Ms. O’ Reilly expressed an interest in meeting the crew to thank them, but also wanted to share her story.
This favorable outcome was absolutely made possible by the caring, professionalism, and teamwork put forth by our Fire Rescue crew and Police Officers who had a direct impact in saving a life.
The Coral Gables Fire Department is delighted that Ms. O’Reilly has fully recovered from the incident and is humbled by her gratitude and desire to share her story. We are thankful she is with us here today and wish her continued success.