Chatham Responders Honored For Life-Saving Service

CHATHAM, NJ - A severely injured motorist who lost part of their leg in an accident and a man choking on a piece of steak are alive thanks to the work of Chatham responders and Chatham Borough Police Chief Brian Gibbons took the time to honor them.

Gibbons recently delivered awards to Sgt. Mike Permison, Officer Robert Pons, Officer Reid Craig, and EMT Sam Cooperman.

Craig received a “Medical Assistance” award for rendering first aid to a severely injured motorist who lost the lower part of his leg in a motorcycle crash on North Passaic Avenue. According to Gibbons, Craig’s quick actions were critical in saving the life of the injured motorist and came only days after retraining with the Chatham Emergency Squad in the proper application of a tourniquet.

Permison and Pons also received a “Medical Assistance” award, and Sam Cooperman received a “Civilian Service” award, for rendering first aid and CPR to Patrick McCahill, Sr., who was visiting his son Patrick McCahill, Jr. for Father’s Day.

McCahill was at a backyard barbecue when he began to choke on a piece of steak. Mr. McCahill’s daughter-in-law Kaley called 911 and reported the emergency. Luckily, Sam Cooperman, a nearby neighbor and volunteer Chatham EMT, heard the call for help and rushed over to provide lifesaving first aid.

Permison and Pons heard the 911 call in real-time and responded to the incident in less than two minutes, arriving just prior to the actual dispatch for service. Once on scene, they assisted Cooperman and provided abdominal thrusts to help dislodge the food stuck in McCahill’s windpipe.

Abdominal thrusts were unsuccessful and McCahill fell unconscious, so all three responders provided CPR, ultimately dislodging the food and McCahill regained consciousness before being transported to Morristown Medical Center for overnight evaluation.