Cleveland Clinic honors Euclid Firefighters for skill and expertise

Eleven Euclid firefighters were recognized and honored by the Cleveland Clinic last month for their actions while rendering patient care on two separate incidents that occurred in 2009.

Lieutenant David Rowell, Fire Fighter-EMT Randy Potts, Fire Fighter-Paramedics Eric Patterson, Jim Retallick, and Nathan Barry were recognized and honored for their treatment and expert care of a 32-year old pregnant woman who was complaining of tightness and discomfort in her chest.  This patient was 37 weeks into a healthy pregnancy and had no prior medical problems.  The chest discomfort had progressed to include shortness of breath.  Following their protocols, the members found an abnormal EKG.  Because she was pregnant and exhibiting signs of an impending heart attack, she was transported to Hillcrest Hospital.  While transporting to Hillcrest, these men continued emergency treatment to stabilize the patient’s cardiac condition while preparing for the possibility of cardiac arrest and impending delivery of a baby.

Upon arrival at Hillcrest Hospital, clinicians determined the patient was suffering from a dissecting aortic aneurysm, a rare and often fatal cardiac condition.  From Hillcrest, she was flown to University Hospital where she received an emergency C-section and open-heart surgery to repair her life-threatening dissecting aortic aneurysm.  She fortunately delivered a healthy baby and she survived both surgeries.  In discussions with the surgical team, this specific case was unheard of and the care provided in stabilizing this patient was paramount to her survival. Their care, both medically and emotionally, for the pregnant patient was the determining factor in the survival of not one, but two patients.

During an afternoon in July 2009, Captain Jay Womack, Fire Fighter-EMT Ron Brickman and Kevin Padden, and Fire Fighter-Paramedics Scott Svonovec, John Reidy and Noah Carney were dispatched to the Euclid Metroparks for a 38-year old male who was unresponsive.  These men found bystanders attempting to perform CPR on the patient, assessed the situation and determined the patient was not breathing and had no pulse.  Following their protocols, these men inserted an airway device into the patient, continued CPR, and administered life-saving medications.  He was taken to Euclid Hospital.  Upon arrival at the hospital, the patient was fully responsive and breathing on his own.  The Cleveland Clinic wanted to also recognize these six individuals for their life-saving actions. 

Personally, I’d like to say thank you, not only to these 11 members, but to all the firefighter/medics and frontline supervisors who are always out in the streets performing their duties to the best of their abilities.  Keep up the good work!