Celebration Of Life-Saving Actions Taken By AMR And Nashua Fire

NASHUA, NH — AMR and Nashua Fire responded to a 911 call for a 56-year-old unresponsive woman on April 3, 2020 . She had suffered what appeared to be a life-ending cardiac arrest.

Her husband and son did CPR while on the phone with 911 until Nashua Fire Arrived. NFR continued with CPR and used a AED device to shock the woman who still remained unresponsive. AMR arrived as Nashua Fire was applying a second shock from the AED.

In an emotional moment the AMR crews described how Patty’s husband was “cheering her on” as Nashua firefighters and AMR Paramedics got a pulse. The paramedic quickly established what rhythm she was in, gave her the proper drugs. She was rushed from the scene 20 minutes after the original call.

After arriving at the hospital she was given medical treatment and a cardiac catheterization to repair a blockage.

AMR Director Chris Stawasz was able to coordinate Patty to meet the AMR and Nashua Fire crews just one month after the incident. AMR in Nashua has established something called “The Tomorrow Wall”. It is a place to celebrate the success by crews bringing someone back from a full cardiac arrest.

Patty and the crew who saved her life are the first to be added to the Nashua Tomorrow Wall.

A pin indicating a “Cardiac Arrest Save” was given by Patty to each of the crew members, and her husband who Stawasz says was key in saving her life. Her son will also be given a pin for his help in saving her life. Patty wrote a thank you note to the crew members on the wall plaque with the crew names and presented it to AMR to be hung on the wall.

In an emotional heart felt speech Patty talked about how thankful she was for what everyone had done. She thanked them for allowing her to be there for her husband, 5 kids, and 9 grandchildren.

The AMR crew Roger Chauvette and Luis Torres also had emotion filled moments in reliving what happened and how thankful everything worked out. AMR Chris Stawasz said that it is rare that people survive out of hospital cardiac arrest. All crew members from Nashua Fire and AMR shared how hard everyone worked and that is great to see a positive outcome.

Paramedic Roger Chauvette said that when you respond 10 to 15 calls a day you don’t always know what the outcome is for people you worked on. He stressed how great it was to have a moment with Patty, and celebrate the life they saved.

The Nashua Fire crew is from Engine 4, the Crown Hill station. The crew was made up of Lt. Brian Maeder, Firefighters John McAllister, Jacob Dodge, Kevin Morrisey