Base firefighters restore collapsed servicemember's pulse

  • Published
  • By 2nd Lt. Lisa Spilinek
  • 66th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
HANSCOM AIR FORCE BASE, Mass --  It's not every day that Hanscom Fire Department personnel get to put their lifesaving skills into action, which is a good thing. But when calls of distress go out, it is comforting to know that these individuals are ready and capable to take on very dire situations.

Such was the case Nov. 5, when a call reached the fire department that a Army National Guard member had collapsed while performing physical training near the Hanscom Clinic. The victim, a captain and a Boston police officer, had stopped breathing.

Fellow exercisers administered CPR, while two fire trucks raced to the scene carrying 66th Mission Support Group Fire Department personnel Todd Grierson, Eric Naylor, Capt. Brian Brisson, Joe Bertholic, Mark Moseley and Kevin Tanguay.

Upon arriving at the scene, the firefighters took over care for the downed captain. Rescue team members Messrs. Naylor and Grierson attached a Bag Valve Mask to the victim to provide oxygen, and used an Automated External Defibrillator to shock his heart, Mr. Grierson said.

Following the first shock, Mr. Bertholic said he inserted an oral airway to block the victim's tongue and ensure an open air passage.

The captain still did not have a pulse, so after another minute of CPR, the rescue workers shocked him again, Mr. Grierson said.

The victim's pulse returned following the second shock.

Meanwhile, Mr. Moseley assisted with ventilation procedures, Mr. Tanguay made sure all equipment that was needed was available and Mr. Bertholic listened to the victim's chest with a stethoscope to ensure that the air being pumped into him was going into his lungs, not his stomach.

Upon the return of his pulse, the victim was able to breathe on his own through an oxygen mask. He was transported to the hospital by Armstrong Advanced Life Support.

The firefighters stressed the importance of the AED in returning the victim's pulse, describing the tool as a reset button to stop a heart from shaking and begin pumping again. "The key was the early access to the AED," Mr. Bertholic said.

They also stressed the role that their teamwork and extensive training played in the event."The thing that amazed me about the call is we all came together doing what we're all trained to do and it came out a success," Mr. Bertholic said.

Captain Brisson described the response of the team as a "cornucopia of talent."

This talent was recognized by 66th Air Base Wing Commander Col. Thomas Schluckebier Nov. 8 before a meeting of the Fire Emergency Services Quarterly Council at The Minuteman Club.

"This Thanksgiving there's going to be a dad and a Boston cop who will be able to spend the day with his family," Colonel Schluckebier said. "It's very nice to know we can have you there in a few minutes if we need you," Colonel Schluckebier said as he presented each man with a 66 ABW coin.

The firefighters said the best part of the ordeal was the outcome -- they were eventually able to speak with the victim, who was alert and oriented. "A lot of times we don't know what happens [after a patient is taken to the hospital] -- it's nice to know," Mr. Grierson said.