By Dan Sokil
The Reporter
UPPER GWYNEDD, Pa. — When the worst happens, they’re ready, and for one local resident they made a big difference.
Police and firefighters from several local agencies received commendations Tuesday night for saving a life recently at the Parkside Place complex in Upper Gwynedd.
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“We do CPR as emergency responders more regularly than I think the public realizes, but it’s not too often we get a full save,” said police Chief David Duffy.
On July 7, members of Upper Gwynedd police, the Upper Gwynedd Fire Department, Second Alarmers Rescue Squad, North Penn Fire Company and VMSC Emergency Medical Services all worked together to aid a man in cardiac arrest at Parkside Place, the chief told the public.
“It’s a number of people: CPR has to be administered quickly, it has to be administered the right way, and all the handoffs and transitions that go through to saving someone’s life are demonstrated by the teamwork that’s shown here tonight,” Duffy said.
Just before 7 p.m. that night, police responded within two minutes to a call reporting an unconscious person near the courts at Parkside, then soon upgraded the call to a cardiac arrest, the chief said.
“Lansdale resident Jeff Gulla, who made the call to 911, was administering CPR to a 52-year-old male on the sidewalk,” Duffy said.
Police Sgt. Matt Toro and officers Montana Lighthart and Chase Koffel took over CPR, applied a defibrillator and administered a shock to the man, then were joined by UGTFD firefighters Chase Kaler and Jaden Newman, and North Penn Fire Company QRS Captain Nate Ameel, who then took over CPR. Second Alarmers Rescue Squad Paramedic Blaise Stockton and EMT Allan Booz then arrived at the scene, and patient care was turned over to them and VMSC EMS AEMTs Patrick McGrath and Moira Carroll, the chief recounted.
“The patient received CPR and shocks before his pulse was regained while en route to the hospital. Fortunately, the patient recovered after several weeks and was able to return home to continue his recuperation and healing,” Duffy said.
“What’s really compelling is watching the body-worn camera footage of our officers. It captures everything that they’re doing, from the time the call started, to their direct involvement, their communication with each other and bystanders, and then with fellow caregivers. It’s really impressive.”
As he spoke, the emergency responders and Gulla stood before the commissioners and a packed room of friends and family as the chief read the text of their lifesaving commendation.
“While CPR saves are not unusual, a save that leads to a recovery and a return home is uncommon. It takes a team like the one in this incident to work together earnestly to save a life,” he said.
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