Cardiac Arrest Save – Easter Sunday

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Sandisfield Fire Department

Cardiac Arrest Save – Easter Sunday

On Easter Sunday, April 5th at approximately 10:12 PM, members of the Sandisfield Fire Department, along with Hartford HealthCare Northwest EMS, were dispatched to an address in Sandisfield for a reported cardiac arrest with CPR in progress.

Ambulance 261 and Squad 26 signed on responding in under 30 seconds. An off-duty Sandisfield Police Officer, Officer Bredenfoerder, responded in her personal vehicle and arrived on scene prior to fire personnel, immediately taking over CPR efforts.

Upon arrival, Officer Bredenfoerder reported that two rounds of CPR had been completed. A pulse check confirmed a weak but present pulse, indicating return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC). Members immediately began packaging the patient and managing the airway while preparing for rapid transport.

At the time of the call, members had just placed into service a LifePak 15 cardiac monitor demonstration unit. This provided real-time waveform capnography, allowing crews to monitor and adjust ventilations to ensure the patient was receiving effective and adequate respiratory support.

Just prior to transport, a paramedic from the Northwest EMS program arrived on scene. After assessment, it was determined the patient required advanced airway intervention. Operating under an expanded scope of practice, the paramedic successfully performed rapid sequence intubation (RSI) in the back of the ambulance, securing the patient’s airway prior to arrival at the hospital.

The patient was transported to Charlotte Hungerford Hospital in Torrington, Connecticut. We have since learned that the patient was discharged from the hospital after spending time in the Intensive Care Unit.

I cannot begin to express the pride and gratitude I have for our members, the Sandisfield Police Department, and the Northwest EMS paramedic for the outstanding performance that night. This outcome is the result of dedication to training, rapid response times, and strong interagency coordination.

Because of these efforts, I am proud to announce this as a confirmed cardiac arrest save. Members of the Sandisfield Fire Department, Sandisfield Police Department, and the Northwest EMS paramedic involved will be recognized with Lifesaving Awards.

This success reflects not only the performance of those on scene, but also the continued support of the community and the Select Board, whose commitment over the past several months has helped make outcomes like this possible.

We are extremely grateful for this positive outcome and for the opportunity to make a difference for this patient and their family.