Unit Commendation Awards

1/24/2021

On January 24, 2021, Paramedics were dispatched to a single-family residence for an 83 year-old male in cardiac arrest. The responding crew initiated high performance CPR and Advanced Life Support procedures, including intubation, IO access, and medication therapy. The patient regained a pulse and blood pressure on the scene after 20 minutes of resuscitation and was transported to Palos Hospital for ongoing treatment. Crew Members: Adrian Puente, Jon Egan, Carl Jones, Joseph Moore, Charles Murray, Steven Prohaska, Keith Fontana, Brett Buenzow, John Locus

2/5/2021

On February 5, 2021, Paramedics were dispatched to a single-family residence for a 75 year-old male patient in cardiac arrest. The responding personnel found the patient’s family initiated CPR. Resuscitative efforts were taken over by Orland Fire Paramedics who found the patient to have an initial cardiac rhythm of PEA. After 20 minutes of Advanced Life Support the patient regained a pulse and blood pressure and was transported to Palos Hospital for further treatment. Crew Members: Jennifer Smith, James Karp, Nickolas Tufts, Jeffrey Uthe, Michael Dorencz, Brett Buenzow, Daniel Ritchie, Jon Egan, Joseph Moore, John Purtill, Mark Duke

2/12/2021

On February 12, 2021, Paramedics were dispatched to a single-family residence for a 79 year-old male who stopped breathing and fell. The responding personnel found the patient pulseless and not breathing and immediately began high performance CPR and Advanced Life Support. The patient was transported to Palos Hospital after 20 minutes of care. While en route to Palos Hospital the patient obtained ROSC and was delivered to the ER with a palpable pulse.

Crew Members:

3/11/2021

Jonathan Kendra, James Logan, Keith Fontana, Dale Weber, Brian McLaughlin, Michael Pericht, Austin Childers

On March 11, 2021, Paramedics responded to a nursing facility for a patient in cardiac arrest. Nursing facility staff initiated CPR and resuscitative efforts were taken over by the responding crew members. The patient was in respiratory arrest and their airway was cleared and intubation was successful. The patient was in asystole and ALS care was initiated. The patient obtained ROSC with a bradycardic heart rhythm where cardiac pacing was applied successfully. The patient was transported with a blood pressure and pulse to Palos Hospital for further treatment. Crew Members: William Leddin, Brian Schick, Brian McLaughlin, Russell Ricobene, Charles Stoltz, Keith Radke, Dave Nagel, James Wooten, Austin Childers

3/16/2021

On March 16, 2021, Paramedics responded to a single-family residence for a patient who collapsed and was in cardiac arrest. Responding crew members found a 65 year-old male patient in full cardiac arrest with family members on the scene doing CPR. Resuscitation efforts were taken over by the paramedics and Advanced Life Support protocol was initiated. The patient’s initial heart rhythm was ventricular fibrillation where defibrillation was performed. After a second defibrillation the patient obtained ROSC. A 12 lead monitor interpretation was done showing sinus tachycardia with an inferior STEMI. The patient was transported to Silver Cross Hospital for further treatment. Crew Members: John Purtill, Nickolas Tufts, Jeffrey Uthe, Anthony Kaskadden, John Cortilet, James Schultz, Matthew Johnson, Daniel Koenig, Rosendo Rodriguez

3/27/2021

On March 27, 2021, Paramedics responded to a single-family residence for a 58 year-old male patient in cardiac arrest. On arrival, crew members found family members performing CPR. Resuscitative efforts were taken over by the responding personnel and ALS protocols were initiated. After two rounds of CPR and medications the patient regained a pulse and blood pressure. A 12 lead ECG was obtained and showed sinus tachycardia. While en route to Palos Hospital the patient went into an asystolic heart rhythm and CPR was again initiated. ROSC was obtained for a second time and the patient care was transferred to Palos Hospital. Crew Members: Robert Stachnik, Kevin Frawley, Michael Meyrick, James Mazurkiewicz, Joseph Oram, Mark Reichert, Gerald Bohne, Zachary Zweizig, Garrett Flavin, Christian Andrews

3/30/2021

On March 30, 2021, Paramedics responded to a bowling alley for a cardiac arrest. On arrival crew members found a 77 year-old male in full cardiac arrest. The patient was found in ventricular fibrillation and defibrillated on the scene. ALS Protocol was initiated and after fourteen minutes of CPR the patient obtained ROSC. Palos Hospital was contacted without further orders given. While en route the patient went into cardiac arrest for a second time and CPR was resumed. After an additional six minutes of CPR the patient again obtained ROSC and transfer of care was given to Palos Hospital. Crew Members: Robert Stachnik, Erick Johnson, Donald Andersen, Brian Steele, Walter Rafacz, James Strzechowski, Brian Nanak, James Pape, Nick Mitidiero

4/04/2021

On April 4, 2021, Paramedics responded to a request for a citizen assist. While en route the responding crews were upgraded to a stroke response and then upgraded the response to a cardiac arrest response. The patient was found with a cardiac rhythm of PEA. The responding paramedics performed advanced life support including intubation, medication administration, and highperformance CPR. While transporting the patient to Palos Hospital the patient regained a pulse and ROSC was confirmed. Crew Members: Jeffery Sheldon, Nick Pycz, George Schick, John Purtill, Michael Haran, Russell Ricobene, Brian Schick, Ryan Bouche

04/14/2021

On April 14, 2021, Paramedics responded to a request for a person passed out. While en route the responding crew members were upgraded to a cardiac arrest response. CPR was initiated by OPPD prior to EMS arrival. The crew members found the patient unresponsive and in asystole. High performance CPR and advanced life support was initiated with intubation and medication administration being completed. The patient regained a pulse and ROSC was confirmed prior to leaving the scene. The patient was transported to Palos Hospital for further care. Crew Members: Brian McLaughlin, Brandon Klekamp, Russell Ricobene, William Leddin, Stephen Carter, Austin Childers, Andrew Kasules, Matthew Burke, James Pape, Stephen Kovats

04/30/2021

On April 14, 2021, Paramedics responded to the nursing facility for a cardiac arrest response. The responding crew members found the nursing home staff performing CPR. The Orland Paramedics took over and initiated High Performance CPR and initiated advanced life support while ventilating the patient via a trach. After medication administration the patient regained a pulse and ROSC was obtained. The responding paramedics continued ALS care and transported the patient with a pulse to Silver Cross ER for continued care.

Crew Members:

William Patterson, Adrian Puente, Carl Jones, John Cortilet, Thomas Rafferty, Daniel Fagan, Matthew Johnson, Daniel Koenig

05/09/2021

On May 9, 2021, Paramedics responded to the nursing facility for a cardiac arrest response. The responding crew members found the nursing home staff performing CPR. Orland Paramedics took over and initiated High Performance CPR. Orland Paramedics initiated advanced life support while intubating the patient. After medication administration the patient regained a pulse and ROSC was obtained. The responding paramedics continued ALS care and transported the patient with a pulse to Palos Hospital ER for continued care. Crew Members: Brian Paliga, David Popp, Justin Dublin, Rosendo Rodriguez, Matthew Burke, John Purtill, Daniel Fagan, James Mazurkiewicz, Steven Prohaska

07/02/2021

On July 2, 2021, Paramedics responded to the residence for a cardiac arrest response. On arrival, the responding crew members found the patient in cardiac arrest with OPPD performing CPR on the patient prior to EMS arrival. OFPD Paramedics initiated High Performance CPR and advanced life support. The patient was treated for V-fib and the patient regained a pulse and obtained ROSC on the scene. The patient was transported to Palos Hospital for a continuation of care.

Crew Members: Eric Petravich, Sergio Navarro, Joseph Moore, Stephen Kovats, Brian Paliga, Justin Dublin, Keith Fontana, Steven Prohaska, Michael Dorencz, Adrian Puente, Douglas DePersia

08/04/2021

On August 4, 2021, Paramedics responded to a nursing facility for severe respiratory distress. On arrival, the responding crew members found the patient in severe respiratory distress. ALS Protocols were initiated on the scene and the patient was prepped for transport. The patient was intubated prior to leaving the scene and while en route the patient lost their pulse and High-Performance CPR was initiated. The patient was in a PEA Rhythm and the patient was treated per Cardiac Arrest Protocol. On arrival of Palos Hospital, the patient regained a pulse and ROSC was achieved. Crew Members: Matthew Burke, Justin Dublin, Matthew Giermala, Jonathan McKendry, Robert Proctor

08/15/2021

On August 15, 2021, Paramedics responded to the residence for a medical alert alarm. On arrival the responding crew members found an unresponsive patient. Advanced life support was initiated on the scene. The patient deteriorated and lost their pulse while the crew was on the scene. High performance CPR was initiated, and the Cardiac Arrest Protocol was performed. The patient was intubated, and medication administration was performed. The patient regained a pulse and ROSC was achieved during transport to Silver Cross Hospital. Crew Members: William Leddin, Dale Weber, Mark Reichert, Matthew Johnson, Timothy Kirincic, Michael Pericht, Walter Rafacz, Isaac Salazar, James Wooten

08/18/2021

On August 18, 2021, Paramedics responded to the residence for a patient complaining of weakness. While assessing the patient, the patient became unresponsive. The patient was intubated on the scene. The patient later lost their pulse. High Performance CPR was initiated, and cardiac arrest protocol was performed. While transporting the patient to Palos Hospital ER, the patient regained a pulse and ROSC was achieved. Crew Members: Joshua Girdick, Shaun McDonald, Nick Pycz, Daniel Mejdrech, Brian Nanak

08/20/2021

On August 20th, 2021, Paramedics were dispatched to the scene for a patient in cardiac arrest. On arrival, the responding crew found the patient in cardiac arrest and initiated High Performance CPR and ALS Cardiac Arrest Protocol. The patient was intubated and found to have asystole as their initial cardiac rhythm. The patient regained a pulse and ROSC was achieved on the scene. The patient was transported to Palos Hospital for further care. Crew Members: William Leddin, Dale Weber, Brett Buenzow, Russell Ricobene, William Patterson, Brandon Toth, Charles Stoltz, Donald Andersen, David Nagel

09/02/2021

On September 2nd, 2021, Paramedics responded to a doctor’s office for a patient in cardiac arrest. CPR was being performed by office staff prior to OFPD EMS arrival. The responding crew members initiated High Performance CPR and ALS Cardiac Arrest Protocol. The patient’s initial cardiac rhythm was PEA, and the patient was ventilated with a BVM. The patient regained a pulse and ROSC was achieved while on the scene. The patient was transported to Palos Hospital ER for a continuation of care. Crew Members: Robert Stachnik, Timothy Wopinek, Jeffrey Ruchniewicz, Jason Postma, Mark Duke, Daniel Mejdrech, Jeff Anderson, Bryan Kluever, James Strzechowski, Walter Rafacz

09/18/2021

On September 18, 2021, Paramedics responded to the residence for a patient that had fallen hours earlier and passed out twice since the fall. ALS Protocol was performed on the scene and the patient was transported to Silver Cross ER. While en route to Silver Cross, the patient became unresponsive and went into cardiac arrest. The patient’s rhythm was asystole and ALS Cardiac Protocol, along with High Performance CPR was initiated. The patient quickly regained a pulse and ROSC was achieved. Crew Members: Timothy Wopinek, Brett Buenzow, David Popp, Nicholas Sanders-Mud, Brian Thompson

09/19/21

On September 19, 2021, Paramedics responded to the nursing facility for a patient in cardiac arrest. On arrival, responding crew members found nursing staff performing CPR. The crew took over the call and initiated High Performance CPR and initiated Cardiac Arrest Protocol. The patient was ventilated though their tracheostomy and ALS procedures were performed. The patient regained a pulse and ROSC was achieved after medication administration. The patient was transported to Palos Hospital for a continuation of treatment. Crew Members: William Leddin, Travis Herrin, Brandon Klekamp, Russell Ricobene, Charles Stoltz, Keith Radke, David Nagel, William Patterson, Brandon Toth

10/01/2021

On October 1, 2021, Paramedics responded to Artic Ice Arena for a patient in cardiac arrest. Prior to their arrival, bystanders performed CPR and defibrillated the patient with an AED. The responding crew members took over patient care and found the patient alert without any further complaints. The patient was treated per ALS Cardiac Patient Protocol and transported to Palos Hospital without any further change in condition. Crew Members: Stephen Kovats, Garrett Flavin, Brett Buenzow, Andrew Kasules

10/06/2021

On October 6th, 2021, Paramedics responded to the residence for patient having a heart attack. While en route the call was upgraded to a cardiac arrest response. On arrival, the responding crew members found the patient in cardiac arrest with family doing CRP. The crew members took over and initiated High Performance CPR and ALS Cardiac Arrest Protocol. The patient was found in V-fib and the patient was defibrillated. The patient was intubated along with medication administration while on the scene. The patient regained a pulse and ROSC was achieved while on the scene. The patient was transported to Palos Hospital for a continuation of care. Crew Members: Brian Paliga, Justin Dublin, David Popp, John Purtill, Mark Duke, Stephen Kovats, Jeffrey Uthe, Brian Thompson, Jon Egan

10/29/21

On October 29th, 2021, Paramedics responded to the residence for a patient in cardiac arrest. On arrival, the responding crew members found the patient in cardiac arrest with family members performing CPR. The crew members initiated High Performance CPR and ALS Cardiac Arrest Protocol. The patient’s initial cardiac rhythm was v-fib, and the patient was defibrillated, intubated, and medication was administered. The patient regained a pulse and ROSC was achieved on the scene. The patient was transported to Silver Cross ER for further treatment.

Unit Commendations

Crew Members: Justin Shanklin, Vincent Piatak, Erick Johnson, Marc DeSardi, Michael Meyrick, Carl Jones, Jerome Slisz Jr, Kevin Frawley, Robert Stachnik

11/19/2021

On November 19, 2021, Paramedics responded to a residence for a cardiac arrest. On arrival, crew members found the patient in cardiac arrest and initiated High Performance CPR along with ALS Cardiac Arrest Protocol. The patient was found in Asystole and the patient was intubated. The patient regained a pulse and ROSC was achieved on the scene. The patient was transported to Palos Hospital for further care. Crew Members: Thomas Panzica, Matthew Hoover, Robert Griffin III, James Logan, Jonathan McKendry, John Purtill, Dave Nagel, Keith Radke, Charles Stoltz

11/23/2021

On November 23, 2021, Paramedics responded to the nursing facility for a patient having difficulty breathing. On arrival, the crew members found the patient in severe respiratory distress and initiated ALS Protocols. The patient was intubated to assist their breathing. During transport to the hospital the patient began to deteriorate and went into pulseless V-tach. High Performance CPR was initiated, and the patient was cardio-verted. A pulse regained and ROSC was obtained. The patient was transported to Palos Hospital for further treatment. Crew Members: Nicholas Sander-Mud, Brian Myhre, Daniel Ritchie, Jonathan McKendry, Robert Proctor

11/26/2021

On November 26, 2021, Paramedics responded to a residence for a patient in cardiac arrest. On arrival, the responding crew members found the patient in cardiac arrest with family doing CPR. The crew members initiated High Performance CPR and ALS Cardiac Arrest Protocol. The patient was intubated, and medication administration was performed. The initial cardiac rhythm was V-Fib and defibrillation was performed. The patient regained a pulse and ROSC was achieved while on the scene. The patient was transported to Palos Hospital for further treatment. Crew Members: Justin Dublin, Steven Prohaska, David Popp, Nicholas Sanders-Mud, Brian Myhre, Daniel Ritchie, Robert Proctor, Jonathan McKendry

12/13/2021

On December 13, 2021, Paramedics responded to a doctor’s office for a person who passed out. On arrival, the responding crew members found the medical staff pulling the patient out of the car. The staff found the patient in cardiac arrest. The crew members initiated High-performance CPR and ALS Cardiac Arrest Protocol. The patient was intubated, and medication administration was performed. The patient regained a pulse on the scene and ROSC was achieved. The patient was transported to Silver Cross ER for further care. Crew Members: Nicholas Sanders-Mud, Kevin Frawley, Justin Shanklin, Michael Meyrick, James Mazurkiewicz