Miami Township Fire/EMS and the Board of Trustees presented five employees with the Meritorious Service Award at the monthly Board of Trustees Business Meeting held on FEB 16. Lieutenant Bischof, FF/EMTs Burbrink, Brown, Holloway and Sandlin were all recognized for their outstanding work on DEC 24, 2009.
On Christmas Eve, 2009, Medic 27, consisting of FF/Paramedics Jason Burbrink and Matthew Brown, was dispatched from the North Station to a person experiencing chest pain. On arrival they encountered Mr. Gus Baumgartner who complained of difficulty breathing, chest pain, and who was sweating profusely. An EKG, along with the crew’s physical assessment, indicated that Mr. Baumgartner appeared to be in the process of having a myocardial infarction, or heart attack. The Medic crew, along with assistance from the engine crew consisting of Lt./FF/Paramedic Glenn Bischof, and FF/Paramedics Mike Holloway and Darren Sandlin, immediately began administering oxygen and pain medication, and established an intravenous line. Recognizing Mr. Baumgartner’s critical condition, the crew began preparing him for transport to Bethesda North Hospital. FF/Paramedic Sandlin was assigned to drive the ambulance so two paramedics could continue Mr. Baumgartner’s treatment and closely monitor his condition.
The crew continued the administration of oxygen and medication while moving Mr. Baumgartner into the ambulance and during the trip to the hospital. Just after exiting I-275 at Montgomery Road, FF/Paramedics Burbrink and Brown witnessed Mr. Baumgartner’s EKG change to ventricular fibrillation. He had just gone into cardio-respiratory arrest. A precordial thump, chest thump, was administered to try to restart Mr. Baumgartner’s heart, but without success. The crew initiated CPR, applied defibrillation pads, and administered one shock just as FF/Paramedic Sandlin was backing the ambulance into the unloading zone at Bethesda North Hospital.
CPR was continued while Mr. Baumgartner was moved into the Emergency Department and onto the hospital gurney. When hospital personnel connected their cardiac monitor to him it showed a normal heart rhythm, and he had a strong pulse. Within minutes, Mr. Baumgartner became conscious and was talking to those attending him. He was soon sent to the catheterization laboratory and the blockages causing his heart attack relieved.
Mr. Baumgartner survived because of several factors:
First, he called for EMS when his symptoms began
Second, he was fortunate to have well trained and experienced paramedics, a few minutes away, working as a crew, attend to his needs
Third, he was transported to a hospital well known for their skill in managing serious cardiac emergencies. All of these factors served Mr. Baumgartner well.
When asked how he or she feels about being recognized for a positive outcome when treating a critically ill or injured patient, such as what transpired with Mr. Baumgartner, most would humbly reply, “I was just doing my job.” But, their actions need to serve as a reminder to all in the fire and emergency medical business that what we do, and how well we do it, is many times a matter of life and death.
The crew is sincerely congratulated for a job well done.