Last week, the Watertown Fire Department honored several firefighters, police officers and others for their life-saving actions during medical emergencies.
Normally, the Fire Department would present the awards at a public ceremony, Fire Chief Bob Quinn said.
“It was our hope to present these at a more formal ceremony last March but COVID sidetracked us,” Quinn said. “We did individual presentations instead.”
Revival of Person Not Breathing
The Company Citation Award was given to Fire Lt. Chad Wheaton, and Firefighters Jason Capello, Shane Gleason, Dean Corsi, Mark Fidler, Olivia Winsor and Ryan Hoey. Also, Police Officer Raul Mendez received the Medal of Commendation for the incident.
On Dec. 2, 2019, Firefighters along with Watertown Police responded to a Brimmer Street residence for a report of chest pains, and while en route Firefighters learned that the person was not breathing.
When Firefighters arrived, Officer Mendez was performing CPR and had already given one shock with the defibrillator. Firefighters took over and administered two rounds of CPR with the LUCAS machine (motorized CPR device).
A pulse was regained and the patient was taken to Mount Auburn Hospital.
“This was an overall team effort provided by the Watertown Fire Department, (and) the Watertown Police Department. These members acted withe great distinction and heroism in the saving of a human life. Their bravery and professionalism is in keeping with the greatest traditions of the fire service and is to be commended.”
Man Having Seizure Saved
The Company Citation Award was given to Fire Lt. Alan Morash, and Firefighters Sean Costigan, Anthony Caruso, Robert Murgo and Dean Corsi. The Medal of Commendation was awarded to Firefighter Michel Lanzo and Watertown Police Sgt. Jeffrey Pugliese and Officer Michael Martino.
In December 2019, a man was found on the ground next to his car Randy’s Car Wash with his mouth foaming by off-duty Firefighter Mike Lanzo and his girlfriend. First responders were called, and before they arrived Lanzo administered three rounds of CPR.
Police Officer Martino and Sgt. Pugliese administered a dose of Narcan, and gave one shock with the defibrillator. When Firefighters arrived, they used the LUCAS CPR machine and gave the man oxygen.
The man was put in an ambulance and he began breathing with assistance while being taken to Mount Auburn Hospital.
The Commendation letter reads: “This was an overall team effort by the Watertown Fire Department and the Watertown Police Department. Off-duty Firefighter Michael Lanzo displayed selfless service with his actions which were quick and decisive, and helped save the life of a fellow citizen. The actions of everyone involved were instrumental in the positive outcome for the patient. These members acted with great distinction and heroism in the saving of a life.”
Heart Attack at Partners Urgent Care
The Company Citation Award was awarded to Fire Capt. Robert Power, and Firefighters Mark Marchant, Michael Lanzo, Kevin Sanderson, and Robert Kelland. The Medal of Commendation was awarded to Watertown Police Officers Brendan Wojtowicz, Miguel Colon, and Michael Grzelcyk, PRO EMS Paramedics Lawrence DeFranco and Desmend Legra, and Partners Urgent Care employees Jean Pastorello, Destiny Miller, Ivana Alandzak and Kathleen Cullinane.
On the evening of Dec. 20, 2019, a call came in from Partners Urgent Care on Mt. Auburn Street for a 58-year-old man having a heart attack. When the Fire Department arrived, members of the Partners staff were giving them an CPR, and one shock was delivered with the defibrillator.
Firefighters gave the man high-flow oxygen and the LUCAS device administered chest compressions. Another shock was given to the man by Firefighters and after two more minutes of giving CPR the man’s heart began beating again.
The man was taken by Professional Ambulance paramedics to Mount Auburn Hospital with a Firefighter assisting on the way.
The Commendation letter reads: “This was an overall team effort provided by the Watertown Fire Department, the Watertown Police Department, PRO EMS, and the staff at Partners Urgent Care. The actions of everyone involved were instrumental in the positive outcome for the patient. These members acted with great distinction and heroism in the saving of a human life.”
on Jan 4 of 2018 WFD personnel saved my life while I was having a heart attack at my home during one of the worst blizzards we have experienced in recent years Upon my thanking the doctors at Mt Auburn hospital I was told that the firefighters and EMS folks were the ones that deserved all the credit I am here today because of their truly heroic efforts !