North Reading Off-Duty Firefighter Helps Save Unresponsive Person

NORTH READING, MA — A North Reading firefighter is being lauded for providing life-saving aid to a jogger.

North Reading firefighter Vincent Zarella was off-duty March 17 when he heard a call on his portable radio reporting an unresponsive person being assisted by a passerby, according to a statement.

Zarella was in the area at the time and found the person who was helping the jogger.

Zarella immediately took over and performed CPR compressions until North Reading police officers Scott Tilton and Mike LeBlanc arrived with an automatic external defibrillator. Both men continued compressions before using the device while also placing an airway into the patient.

Captain Mike Tannian and firefighter Chris Hadley arrived a short time later and assisted until Reading ambulance took the person to the hospital.

The person was conscious by the time the ambulance arrived.

“I would like to recognize the actions of Firefighter Zarella and Officers Tilton and LeBlanc, who jumped into action to assist a community member,” Fire Chief Don Stats said in a statement. “The quick response from our public safety members is a great example of our commitment to service for the residents and community members of North Reading.”

The person has since been released from the hospital and is doing well.