The Buffalo News (New York)
LANCASTER, N.Y. — An Orchard Park man whose life was saved by Lancaster Volunteer Ambulance Corps paramedics thanked the crew in person Thursday at corps headquarters on on Embry Place.
Jason Kaese, Eric Burt and Jerren Myers answered a 911 call Nov. 13 for Derek Garner, 56, who was suffering chest pain at a Transit Road restaurant.
Garner was experiencing life-threatening cardiac arrhythmia and the crew defibrillated him five times before the ambulance arrived at Erie County Medical Center. En route, a readout of Garner’s heart rhythm was sent to ECMC via cell phone.
“Mr. Garner is alive today because of the crew’s quick action and training,” Ambulance Corps President Chester Popiolkowski said. “With our technology the hospital was prepared for the patient prior to his arrival.”
Garner, whose artery blockages were removed in ECMC’s catheterization lab, contacted the Ambulance Corps after he was discharged from the hospital and said he wished to thank the crew that saved his life. The crew was presented a certificate of appreciation. Garner’s family, Ambulance Corps board members and representatives from ECMC were on hand.
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