First Responders Team Up to Save Mother

Story & Photo by  Ex Captain Steven Grogan

 

Lynbrook first responders teamed up on Sunday morning April 22^nd to save the life of a Lynbrook mother who was in cardiac arrest. 

At 0926 hours, the Lynbrook Fire Department was dispatched by Nassau County’s FIRECOM to a reported 43-year-old “unresponsive female” at a home on Dorothy Place.  

Assistant Chief John Donald, while responding to the scene, was notified by radio that Lynbrook police officers were at the home and had begun CPR on the mother of two. 

When Chief Donald arrived, along with Northwell ambulance, Lynbrook Police Sergeant Sean Haffey led them to the second floor where Police Officer Kevin Hoffman was performing chest compressions to the mother who was lying on a bedroom floor and not breathing.  The other Lynbrook police officer, Jeff Burke, was administering rescue breaths utilizing a Bag Valve Mask while monitoring the automatic External Defibrillator (AED).   The officers had already administered a shock from the AED without success.  Allegedly, the husband tried CPR before the officers had arrived.    

Chief Donald immediately notified FIRECOM by radio that they had a “Signal 61” for a confirmed cardiac arrest. 

The police officers then administered a second shock from the AED, with no response. As chest compressions and rescue breaths continued, Chief Donald relieved PO Hoffman and maintained the chest compressions while Northwell EMT Ashford relieved PO Burke and continued rescue breaths.  Northwell paramedic Lebenns assisted by assessing the woman and applying life support techniques. 

At this time, the Lynbrook Fire Department Emergency Medical Company ambulance arrived.  Lynbrook EMT/Ex-Captain Cathy Bien relieved Northwell EMT Ashford who was still providing rescue breaths, while Lynbrook Firefighter/EMT Alex Mertz relieved Chief Donald and continued chest compressions.  As the effort went on, Lynbrook Firefighter/EMT Shannon Tracy relieved EMT/Ex-Captain Bien in providing rescue breaths.  

While the rescue effort continued upstairs, Lynbrook EMT/First Lieutenant Kaitlyn Curran and EMT/Second Lieutenant Kacie Curran obtained vital medical information from the husband and also assisted with the family’s two small children. 

 Numerous cycles of CPR continued with the first responders rotating while also continuing to shock the woman.  Finally, a faint pulse was obtained.  Northwell Supervisor CC Paramedic Keith Wilken arrived with a LUCAS CPR device which replaced manual compressions. 

With the woman now alive, the team of first responders had to get her down from the second floor.  Due to the tight layout of the house the woman had to be loaded into a REEVES Sleeve to carry her down to be put on the stretcher. 

She was transported via Northwell ambulance and escorted by a Lynbrook police car to South Nassau Communities Hospital.  The mother was placed in the Cardiac Care Unit in serious but stable condition.

Today, the mother is recovering nicely and is in rehabilitation.       

“The prompt, continued, and unselfish acts of all Lynbrook’s first responders on the scene were instrumental in successfully rendering aid and assistance to another human being resulting in the saving of this resident’s life. They all deserve our thanks” said Lynbrook Fire Chief William Abrams.