Off-Duty West Essex First Aid Squad Members Revive Collapsed Man

West Essex First Aid Squad members leapt into action last week when a 47-year-old man collapsed at The Oval and needed to be resuscitated before help could arrive. 

On June 12 during an adult league slow-pitch game at the baseball field, a West Essex man playing in the game went into cardiac arrest around 9:05 p.m. There were multiple West Essex First Aid Squad members playing in the game and spectating in the stands who immediately came to the man’s aid, according to police. 

One of the West Essex First Aid Squad members also began CPR on the 47-year-old man using mouth-to-mouth resuscitation and chest compressions, according to Caldwell Police Det. Brad Palatucci.

After police arrived on the scene, the West Essex man was transported to Mountainside Hospital in Montclair by the West Essex First Aid Squad ambulance.

The man is recovering and “reported to be doing well,” Palatucci confirmed.  

West Essex First Aid Squad Captain David Black said he “couldn’t be prouder” of his squad, who know they need to be on call 24-7 in case of an emergency — whether they are wearing their uniforms or not. 

“They did exactly what they were trained to do,” said Black, who preferred not to release the names of the squad members who sprang into action last week at the field.

“I couldn’t be prouder. It was really a collaborative effort” with the Caldwell Police Department. “This is what we train for. What happened there is what happens every single day with the squad.”