EMS responders recognized for life-saving actions

KENANSVILLE — Last week Duplin County celebrated a proud moment as eight members of Duplin County Emergency Medical Services were recognized for their life-saving actions. 

Abby Cannon, Neal Mobley, David Tollefson, Canaan Weston, Christopher Jackson, Justin Chapman, Ryan Schallock and Luis Arellano were honored with the prestigious Life Saver Award for their prompt actions resuscitating three victims of sudden cardiac arrest, providing life-saving care and transportation.

“Survival of sudden cardiac arrest is dependent upon the promptness of CPR administration and early or rapid defibrillation,” said Dustin Swinson, EMS training officer to the County Commissioners at the June 3 meeting, explaining that immediate CPR has proven to double or triple the chance of a patient’s survival after a sudden cardiac arrest.

“There is no doubt that without the professional and prompt care delivered by all these teams, that the outcomes of the aforementioned patients would not have been the same,” said Swinson, who along with Brandon McMahon, EMS director and Jon Kornegay, EMS medical director, presented the awards.

Swinson spoke briefly about each incident. He shared that last year in December, Medic 7 truck out of Rose Hill staffed by EMT Chapman and paramedic Schallock, was dispatched to the town of Magnolia for an unresponsive person.

“When they arrived, they found CPR in progress by the first responders, who were actively delivering the shock with their automated external defibrillator, CPR continued shortly with paramedic and advanced life-support interventions being performed in transport. They were also joined by Captain Luis Arellano and the patient developed recurrent spontaneous circulation (ROS) during medical care. The patient had positive signs of life when they arrived at the emergency department. So, we are very proud of these individuals.”

In March, Medic 2 out of Wallace, staffed by EMT Weston and paramedic Jackson responded to a CPR in progress call at a local business.  

“Wallace Police Department arrived on the scene about the same time as Medic 2 did. This was only three minutes after the time of dispatch. The automated external defibrillator was applied, and shock delivered. Return to spontaneous circulation was achieved briefly,” said Swinson, adding that Paramedic Jackson quickly realized during transport that the patient had no pulse and immediately delivered advanced life-support interventions.  

“By the time that unit arrived at the hospital with the patient on board, there were positive signs of life,” said Swinson. “And just to elaborate, this patient who was breathing spontaneously, following commands, speaking with the crew on the way to the hospital was pronounced clinically dead just a few moments before Medic 2 arrived. It was pretty impressive; It doesn’t happen very often.”

In April, Medic 6 out of the Pleasant Grove Firehouse responded to a heart problem call.

“They arrived and found the patient conscious and alert, complaining of some problems with their heart,” said Swinson. He explained that during transport, Paramedic Mobley recognized the cardiac arrhythmia had become lethal and joined by EMT Tollefson and Captain Cannon, rapidly administered CPR, and the appropriate care to control the patient’s cardiac arrhythmia. “The patient had purposeful movements and spontaneous respirations upon arrival at the ER.”

Swinson concluded by asserting that the patients are now home with their families because of the efforts of these eight EMS members.

“Team we’re proud of all of you. Thank you for everything you do to make Duplin County a safer place to live and visit,” Swinson said.