Fall River first responders combined to resuscitate a patient back to life over the weekend.
According to EMS, on Saturday afternoon, Fall River EMS Medic 4, Medic 5, and Squad 12 were dispatched with Fall River Fire Engine 9 and Fall River Police to an address in the north end of the city for a 64-year-old patient reported to not be breathing and without a pulse.
En route, dispatchers confirmed the patient was in a full cardiac arrest. The address of the call was in between where Medic 4 and Medic 5 were at the time, so both were dispatched to get the closest unit to the scene as quickly as possible. Fall River Police arrived on scene first and immediately initiated CPR and attached the patient to their AED and shocked the patient twice. Medic 4 was the first medic on scene and, along with Squad 12, found the patient lying supine and still in cardiac arrest. EMS took CPR over from PD after Engine 9 arrived on scene to assist EMS units. EMS stated that all units performed high-quality CPR as well as Advanced Life Support skills. Once the patient was hooked up to the monitor, the patient was found in a shockable rhythm and was shocked.
While continued life saving measures were performed, a pulse was regained. This was caused by the Advanced Life Support efforts by EMS personnel on scene, according to EMS. Life saving measures also included an IV established by an IO, cardioversion, and multiple medications. The patient was rushed to a local hospital where they were immediately brought to the Cath Lab with a STEMI alert. Official reports have the incident as a cardiac arrest with a return of spontaneous circulation.
Fall River EMS appreciates the support and assistance from Fall River Fire Engine 9 and Fall River Police. Responding EMS personnel included, Squad 12 shift commander Lieutenant/Paramedic Faria and Medic 4 Paramedic Weston, EMT Bowman, and a paramedic student and they were assisted on scene by Medic 5 Paramedics Dennen and Capozzi. Medic 5 ended up clearing from the scene and Medic 4 handled. Once pulse was regained, Paramedic Weston and the paramedic student transported the patient on their own with Lieutenant Faria following.
