PULSE Magazine | June/July 2018 Issue PE

DEDICATION, SERVICE, PRIDE

sure I go through my check lists. I remember the crew went down the service elevator and when they arrived on the ground floor CPR was started again followed by pulses. Deep in the depths of the JW Marriot our radios bonked and no signal to let comm know we had CPR in progress but luckily it was a short arrest. They then quickly moved him to the ambulance. Afterwards Kyle told me the patient was giving two thumbs up as he was going through the lobby and I thought wow we got a fighter on our hands and that’s pretty awesome. So what seemed like an eternity was only about 25 minutes on scene followed by about a 5 minute trip to the hospital. Unfortunately we lost pulses again during transport and took him into the emergency depart- ment with resuscitation in pro- gress at Dell Seton. They worked on Gov. Ridge for a long time pushing medications and pumping on his chest and then just as hope was dwindling you hear “We got a pulse!”. Quickly the teams rush the Governor up to the CATH lab where they open up his coronaries and is further stabilized. We later find out he would be transferred to Seton main where the rest of his course of treatment. About a week or so later I get a call from Dr. Escott letting me know “He’s got purposeful movement” and he’s slowly recovering but prog- nosis is good. And all I could think was “Wow” this is awe- some!

be considered for it. I decided to take my wife and son along so we boarded a plane and made our way to Washington DC in June. The Hotel the AAA had us stay at was beautiful and with a lot of history i.e. where the Beatles stayed during their first US tour and FDR had his presidential inaugural speech. On the Monday, we had break- fast and some story telling in the Blue room. Blue room as in Blue Eyes, where Frank Sinatra sang. We then got dressed up in our class A’s and were bussed to the National Press Club for the Recognition Luncheon. This was where we saw Gov. Ridge again since that day back in Novem- ber. I can’t describe the feeling I had to see him and to feel so proud of our team that made such a difference in this man’s life as well as his family. Gov. Ridge was forever grateful not only for us and what we did that day but for what we do every time we put on the uniform and respond to help. His key note speech reflected his appreciation for EMS and the families who support us when we leave our homes to serve those in need. All the Stars were given a Medal and it was placed by Gov. Ridge. Tuesday morning we set out for Capitol Hill to have coffee in Senator Ted Cruz’ office and later visit with Senator John Cornyn’s staff. The room was packed with AAA Stars from Texas and other visitors. Our visit was short with an nice exchange of pleasantries and a great photo opportunity with the Senator. Between our appointments we took some time to walk around the Hart and Russel buildings. The group wanted to see if we could see Bernie Sanders so we made our way to his office. Just as we walking down the hall Senator Elizabeth Warren walks by our group, she kindly took a minute for a photo. Minutes later we caught a glimpse of

Marco Villasenor

RESPONSE

On that morning of November 16 th 2017 I remember seeing the call go out for chest pain and self-assigning myself to the call. I arrived at the same time AFD Engine 13 did and we made our way to the elevators. As were going up I was thinking to myself this is going to be a STEMI. Because at seven in the morning a 70’s year old male with chest pain is not good and I remember telling the AFD guys “this is going to be the real deal”. When we got to the 22 nd floor and entered the room the patient was lying in bed with the monitor and defib pads already attached. Brendan turned to me and said we’ve got a STEMI and in my mind was let move quick- ly. As I walked closer to the bed the patient became unrespon- sive and on the monitor was fib. We charged the monitor, made sure we were clear and shocked the patient. We then moved to the floor and Pit Crew CPR was started. Minutes later the patient started waking up and was a bit altered so we tried to reassure him as best as we could. We lifted him off the floor and onto the stretcher. This is when we learned who the patient was but it really didn’t click for me until later in the call. It was like, I recognize name and I know I should know him but I was thinking I got to get him to the CATH lab and I need to make

RECOGNITION

Fast forward half a year later we find out we were nominated to receive the Stars of Life Award by the American Ambulance Association (AAA). I had never heard of this award but quickly research it to discover what it was all about and felt grateful to

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