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Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center staff awarded life-saving awards by CCFR Juneau, Alaska, July 13, 2016– On Tuesday, July 12, Capital City Fire and Rescue (CCFR) Fire Chief Richard Etheridge presented life-saving certificates and Chain of Survival medals to Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center staff and a Juneau
Police Department dispatcher whose efforts saved the life of a heart attack victim. He was assisted by CCFR EMS Training Officer Joe Mishler and Assistant Fire Chief Ed Quinto. A sixty year old man visiting the glacier collapsed near the visitor center’s entry kiosk at about 6 p.m. on June 14. Forest Service staff rushed to his side and began assisting two nearby EMS-trained visitors. CPR was initiated and Forest
Service personnel quickly retrieved one of the center’s automatic external defibrillators (AED). Other staff contacted the Juneau Police Department via 911 and were guided through emergency procedures as fire and rescue personnel were en route to the glacier.
The AED was used to apply an electrical shock to the victim’s chest to restart his heart. The effort was successful and the man regained consciousness and was able to speak before the fire department arrived on scene. The victim was transported
to Bartlett Regional Hospital then eventually relocated to a hospital outside Alaska. “We have seen a large increase in the past few years of patients in cardiac arrest being resuscitated,” said Joe Mishler, Capital City Fire and Rescue EMS training officer. “Last year, 60% of those Capital City Fire/Rescue responded to
in cardiac arrest, and had a shockable rhythm on our arrival, not only survived the event, but were discharged from the hospital to return to their lives. A big factor which has helped make a difference is bystanders willing to immediately start CPR and the
availability and use of AED's. The crew at the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center did everything right. We were dispatched to a cardiac arrest with CPR in progress and arrived on scene to find a conscious, talking patient who didn't think he needed to go
to the hospital!” Mishler added. “We are happy to have helped a visitor to Juneau survive what might have been a fatal heart attack,” said Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center Director John Neary. “With more than 550,000 visitors during summer we try to be prepared for a
variety of emergency situations. We have two AEDs on site.” Assistant Director Nikki Hinds credits the excellent staff at the glacier and the training they receive at the start of each year. “We provide eight hours’ first aid and AED training each spring for all our staff,” says Hinds. “Some have
earned more in-depth 80-hour training through the Wilderness First Responder program. It all pays off when we have a successful save like this one.” Hinds organizes the training program for the visitor center’s seasonal staff, including comprehensive safety
and interpretive skills. The June rescue is the second time a Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center AED has been used successfully. In 2002, a week after the first defibrillator was installed, it was used to save a life. After the June incident the glacier AED’s electrode pads were replaced and the device is ready for another life-saving mission. There are at least 185 AEDs in Juneau. A special tag is now attached to the visitor center’s AED that states
“This AED saved a life.” “This little tag is a proud reminder of the opportunity we have to provide an essential service to people,” said Director John Neary. “It was a very busy time at the glacier,” said Pete Schneider, the center’s work leader at the time of the incident. “Staff efficiently and calmly coordinated hectic bus traffic and assured clear access for emergency vehicles. This was
definitely a team effort with all hands involved.”
Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center staff with certificates: Lauren Parker, Stephanie Bogle, Pete Schneider, Clint Augustson, Melissa Baechle, Janet Anderson, and Anne McLean.
A special tag is now attached to the visitor center’s AED that states “This AED saved a life.” -USDA This electronic message contains information generated by the USDA solely for the intended recipients. Any unauthorized interception of this message or the use or disclosure of the information it contains may violate the law and subject the violator to civil or criminal penalties. If you believe you have received this message in error, please notify the sender and delete the email immediately. To manage your subscription visit http://www.fs.fed.us/news/subscription.shtml |
