Two local first responders honored with Lifesaver Awards

By Ena Sellers, Duplin Journal

KENANSVILLE — Monday, Dec. 4 was a joyful night at the County Commissioners meeting in Kenansville, as two emergency responders were recognized for their actions which saved the life of a woman who was having a heart attack. 

“One of the main reasons we get into EMS is to ultimately save a life,” said Mark Casey, Duplin County EMS training officer, as he addressed the crowd. Casey shared that in his six years with the organization this was the third time he had the honor to present a survivor of cardiac arrest to the Board of County Commissioners. 

“In late September, we responded to a mutual aid call in Onslow County for an individual experiencing chest pain,” said Casey, explaining the crew arrived and identified that the patient was having a heart attack. “While the crew was loading the patient into the ambulance, the patient went into cardiac arrest…” 

First responders, Tiffany Vansell and Charlie Parrish’s timely action working the cardiac arrest and transporting the patient to the hospital ultimately saved her life. 

“I am so blessed and just tickled to death that this lady is here with us tonight to present our crew with their Lifesaving Award,” said Casey, as he introduced Eleanor Whitfield of Richlands. “(She) survived not only a heart attack, but also a cardiac arrest…” 

County Commissioner Dexter Edwards thanked Vansell and Parrish for their actions. 

“I personally want to thank both of y’all from the bottom of my heart. We very seldom get the chance to let you know how much we really appreciate what you do,” said Edwards. “I see this young lady standing over there in orange and I see the smile on her face, I see the concern and care from her family. We are all so grateful. Thank you and we thank God for his blessings and thank this God that allowed these two ladies to be trained, be there and be prepared and for helping you through the process because he is not done, you got something left here on this earth and we thank him for you for this opportunity.” 

Whitfield told the Duplin Journal that she was incredibly grateful for Vansell and Parrish. 

“I’ve had about five spells before and I thought it was indigestion and someone had mentioned to me that it might be my heart and it came to my mind and that’s why I called my daughter and she called EMS,” said Whitfield. “Thank God those two came. They did it.” 

Parrish, who has been with the county EMS for a bit over two years, said this doesn’t happen very often. “So, when it does happen, we try to celebrate the good things that happen,” said Parrish. 

“It’s an awesome feeling because normally it’s a different outcome,” said Vansell. 

Parrish and Vansell said that timely CPR and everyone staying calm through everything was key. 

“It not only helps us as a crew when people around are calm, to do our jobs, it helps the family too and the patient.”