Two Local Residents, Firefighters and EMS Honored for Lifesaving Actions

After going into cardiac arrest at the First Baptist Church of Loganville on March 14, 2013, Robert Barganier believes his life was saved by divine intervention. He also believes that intervention came at the hand of two caregivers on the scene as well as members of Loganville Fire Department and Walton County EMS.

“None of it would have happened without the hand of the Lord,” Barganier said at a ceremony in Loganville commending those who were involved in the rescue. Barganier went on to thank Brenda Zolnick, the nurse who was on hand to give him CPR the day it happened, as well as the firefighters from Loganville LFD Station 16 and Walton County EMT Troy Willard and EMS Russell Cook. Ann Benford, the second local resident who had been on hand to help in Barganier’s rescue, was not able to attend the Loganville City Council meeting where Loganville Fire Chief Danny Roberts and Acting Mayor Mark Kiddoo thanked and pinned the rescuers for saving Barganier’s life.

Zolnick, who is a cardiac nurse, and Benford, were the first to jump in when Barganier collapsed and went into cardiac arrest on the campus of the First Baptist Church of Loganville. Roberts sent a letter from the LFD to Zolnick and Benford commending them for their heroism.

“These brave ladies not only initiated the Chain-of-Survival by activating 9-1-1, but they also promptly began life-saving resuscitative efforts,” Roberts wrote.

LFD also drew praise from Walton County EMS in the form of a letter from the department signed by Willard.

"I was so impressed by the support and service provided by your staff and the citizens on scene, that I felt compelled to go on record with my praise. These people truly deserve it. In an era where exceptional service is expected from our industry, and at times it can be poor, the work that your team provided should be utilized as an example for other to try to emulate," Willard wrote.

When the firefighters and EMS personnel arrived on scene, they took over the lifesaving efforts en route to Athens Regional Medical Center. Their actions drew praise from Zolnick who had been party to life saving efforts before.

“I have been in several other lifesaving situations and I must say you guys are really tremendous –I’ve witnessed other paramedics and you are professional. You took a thorough history and the teamwork was just tremendous,” Zolnick said. “I knew that he was in safe hands.”

Zolnick went on to say that she too believed the hand of God played a part in Barganier’s recovery, saying that the whole room was in prayer during the ordeal, including the young children.

Loganville City Manager Bill Jones also thanked Roberts for his service to the city and residents of Loganville, awarding him a personal gift certificate to take his wife out to dinner.