EBRPD Volunteer Medic Saves Life

EBRPD Volunteer Flight Medic, Jared Apperson 
 
 
On Saturday, October 10, 2009, when a “man down” call came into the East Bay Regional Park District dispatch center, Officer Kevin Iacavoni, pilot of Eagle 7, one of two District helicopters, landed within 7 minutes. The location was Bort Meadow, a remote section of Anthony Chabot Regional Park in the Oakland Hills. On board, was Jared Apperson, a member of the Volunteer Flight Medic Program, managed by the Park District’s Public Safety Department.

Working as part of a team trained in Advanced Life Saving, Apperson assessed the situation. A well-known senior marathon runner had collapsed on one of the trails. He was in cardiac arrest. Brian Medley, an off duty San Ramon Valley Fire Department firefighter/paramedic, who was also running at the park, was performing CPR.

The situation was serious. At least twice, according to CPR test strips, the victim’s heart went from ventricular fibrillation (pulsing without pumping) to a tachycardia rhythm (too fast of a heart rhythm).  Over the course of a 28 minute period off duty Firefighter Medley and Flight Medic Apperson provided CPR and at least two shocks from the Phillips Heartstart Defibrillator and restored the victim’s heartbeat.  With their efforts, the victim’s life was saved from a fatal cardiac arrest.  The patient was stabilized and transported to Eden Hospital for further life support treatment. 

Fire Captain Andy Swartzell, who is also the EMS Coordinator with San Ramon Valley Fire District, reports that the patient is doing remarkably well, and the family said that he is now talking, joking and laughing, although he has some way to go to a full recovery. “We’re very proud of Firefighter Medley. It was a great example of teamwork and determination that made this resuscitation a successful one,” states Captain Swartzell. “On behalf of Brian and the SRVFD, please convey our thanks to Jared. He should be commended for this effort.”

East Bay Regional Park District Officer Doug Jackley, who is a pilot and the flight medic coordinator for the District, said “It is the availability of skilled volunteers and the dedication of people like Jared which more than justify the volunteer flight medic program’s very existence and supports an ongoing need to recruit and hire qualified individuals who are willing to give their time and skills for our Park community.”

Captain Paul Cutino, who manages the EMS program for the Park District, stated that having someone on scene quickly performing excellent CPR and that having a defibrillator on board the aircraft with a paramedic trained to use it were critical to saving this life. "We realize that this is the ultimate in life-saving equipment for cardiac arrest. Our goal is to place a defibrillator in every single public safety vehicle," says Cutino. "We've managed to train many park staff, but purchasing the equipment is very expensive. Our heartfelt thanks go out to the entire response from East Bay Regional District Park staff, American Medical Response (AMR), Alameda County Fire, Regional Parks’ Eagle 7 Helicopter, REACH Air Medical Services and especially to Brian Medley and Jared Apperson for their dedication and teamwork.”

More information: Volunteer Flight Medic Program.