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APALACHIN • OWEGO • NICHOLS TIOGA CENTER • NEWARK VALLEY
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YOUR HOMETOWN NEWSPAPER • www.CommunityPress.us Volume 33
MAY 2018
“Whoever Saves Just One Life, Saves the World Entire”
Number 5
Tioga Downs Begins 13th Racing Season
Tioga Downs celebrated their 12th Anniversary with the opening of their 13th racing season for 2018 starting on May 5 and ending on September 22. There will be 58 days of racing this season. Post time is 6:15 pm on Friday and Saturday with a Sunday post time of 1:00 pm. For a complete listing of race dates and times go to: www.TiogaDowns.com
Left to right: EMT Joseph Opper, EMT-CC John Olsen, EMT Stacy Wickham, FF Ben Morales, Jason Muckey, FF Derek Hicks, EMT Deborah Henderson, EMT Jason Henderson, EMT-CC Alex Khadjadorian. Absent when the photo was taken is EMT-CC Andrew Gregor who is currently serving with the United States Army defending our freedom. by Brian Rieber Chairman, Board of Fire Commissioners Apalachin Fire District
This precept dates to the Old Testament and as Emergency Medical Technicians and Medics of the Apalachin Fire Department, it encompasses the mission we all have to serve. This past Sunday at our Open House, several members of our Department had the ultimate privilege to shake hands with someone they saved. A moment that will stay with them for their entire careers in EMS and the rest of their lives. On March 25, 2018, 37-year old Jason collapsed at home, his heart stopped and he was not breathing. In addition to Apalachin Fire Department (AFD) and due to the severity of the call, New York State Police (NYSP) were also dispatched. Volunteers for AFD mustered and were responding in five minutes, onscene in ten minutes. During this period, NYSP arrived on scene, started CPR, and administered a defibrillation shock to Jason. His heart was still not beating on its own nor was he breathing. When AFD arrived, care was transitioned to our Medics and EMTs. Led by Critical Care Technician and Crew Chief John Olsen and supported by a large crew including Critical Care Technicians Andrew Gregor and Alex Khadjadorian; Emergency Medical Technicians Deborah Henderson, Jason Henderson, Joseph Opper, and Stacy Wickham; and Firefighters Derek Hicks and Benjamin Morales. For the next 45 minutes, this team would work in unison to continue the chain of survival that made this photo April 29, 2018 possible. During Jason’s care, he would ultimately be defibrillated several more times on scene and in the ambulance. An IV was established and life-saving medications were administered by the three Medics on scene. Jason was intubated, which is a tube placed in his airway, that allowed the AFD crew to breath for him during the entire duration
of his care. His heart rhythm would change by the minute, sometimes with a shockable rhythm, sometimes with no activity at all. But the team kept focus, was persistent, and ultimately transferred care to the very capable nurses and doctors at Wilson Memorial Hospital. At this time, Jason was still fighting for his life and although he would regain his heart beat for short periods of time, it was not the last time his heart would stop or that he needed to be defibrillated again at the hospital. Throughout the following hours, days, and weeks, Jason had a long fight ahead of him. After regaining and ultimately maintaining a pulse and blood pressure in the Emergency Room, Jason underwent emergency cardiac treatment to fix the underlying cause of his sudden cardiac arrest. The AFD team was able to follow his progress and on April 29th, Jason walked into the Apalachin Fire Station #1 under his own power. Despite what you see on TV, this frankly doesn’t happen and while it is a miracle in many respects, it is also directly attributable to the Chain of Survival from Dispatch – New York State Police – Apalachin Fire Department – Wilson Memorial Hospital. The cake Jason and his family shared with us Sunday was excellent. But not nearly as sweet as the crew being able to shake hands and give a hug to someone alive today because of their efforts. On behalf of all of us at the Apalachin Fire Department, thank you Jason for sharing your story and for your will to survive. For giving our volunteers something they will cherish for their entire lives. Finally, on behalf of the entire AFD leadership team and volunteers, thank you to this amazing crew in the attached photo with Jason for all the long hours and days you dedicate of yourself. This is why we do what we do and it makes every other hard day absolutely worth it.
Memorial Day May 28 Memorial Day Parade 10:30 am in Owego followed by a ceremony at Courthouse Square