Michael Bonner
masslive.com
WEST BOYLSTON, Mass. — Worcester District Attorney Joseph Early Jr. honored first responders in West Boylston on Monday for their quick actions which saved the life of a man experiencing cardiac arrest in March.
Fire Lieutenant Colby Fiske, Deputy Bob O’Connell, firefighters Bill Nicholson and Eric Larson and West Boylston Police Sgt. Anthony Papandrea were presented with the district attorney’s Team Excellence and Merit — TEAM — Award, which recognizes outstanding service by those in public safety.
“It is not just about knowing what to do, but being able to act under intense pressure,” Early said. “This emergency could have had a very different outcome, but thanks to the four hardworking individuals here today, this man can celebrate the holidays with his loved ones.”
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On the morning of March 12, first responders in West Boylston responded to report of a man experiencing cardiac arrest. When firefighters arrived, they found 41-year-old Alex Jones unresponsive and in cardiac arrest, the district attorney said.
“The Department has had other saves since March, but this one hit close to home for us all where the patient was so young and healthy prior to this incident,” West Boylston Fire Chief Thomas Welsh said. “These EMTs and police officers did not just give Alex his life back, they gave a young son his dad, unborn baby the chance to meet his father, a wife her husband, parents across the globe their son and friends their friend back.”
Through CPR and advanced cardiac life support care, firefighters resuscitated Jones at the scene. He’s since made a full recovery, the district attorney’s office said.
“We are forever grateful,” said Jones, who attended the awards ceremony on Monday with his wife and two young sons.
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