Several members from Hastings Fire and Rescue and Hastings Police Department were given a Phoenix Award for their work on a case where they rescued an 18-month-old with an obstructed airway, (Lucas Ratliff, Central Nebraska Today)
HASTINGS — Several members from Hastings Fire and Rescue and Hastings Police Department were given a Phoenix Award for their work on a case where they rescued an 18-month-old with an obstructed airway.
The Phoenix Award is given in recognition of actions that result in the resuscitation and survival of a patient who has suffered cardiac or respiratory arrest.
Hastings’ fire chief, Troy Vorderstrasse talked about the actions that warranted the award.
“The quick actions of everyone involved from the initial intervention by Hastings police officers to the advanced life support care provided by Hastings Fire Rescue personnel, directly contributed to the successful resuscitation and survival of this child,” Vorderstrasse said.
The award was presented at the June 22 Hastings city council meeting to Lieutenant Jared Hackler, firefighter paramedic Bryce Paulson, firefighter EMT Tanner Klein, firefighter EMT Shane Parker, corporal Grady Gardner, police Officer Cambren Montague, police Sergeant Ethan Sharman, and police Officer Stephen Gonzales for their actions in saving the life of a pediatric patient.
On the day of the incident, corporal Grady Gardner was first law enforcement officer on scene.
Upon arrival, he immediately recognized the severity of the situation and began administering back blows to an infant suffering from a suspected airway obstruction.
Officer Cambren Montague arrived shortly afterward and assisted Corporal Gardner with efforts to relieve the obstruction.
When Hastings Fire Rescue arrived on the scene, they were met by Hastings police officers carrying the child toward the ambulance.
The patient was unresponsive and exhibiting agonal respirations. The crew immediately continued airway obstruction interventions with back blows and chest thrusts. Despite these efforts, the patient became convulsive and inactive.
The patient was quickly placed on a stretcher and CPR was initiated during airway assessment utilizing a video-laryngoscope.
Firefighter paramedic Bryce Paulson identified a complete airway obstruction caused by an intact grape lodged below the vocal chords. Using the gill forces under direct visualization, he successfully removed the obstruction and restored the patient airway.
Following the removal of the grape, ventilations were provided with a bag valve mask, and high flow oxygen tube. Although the patients color began to improve, cardiac monitoring revealed pulseless electrical activity.
The resuscitation efforts continued.
Police Sergeant Ethan Sharman, and police Officer Stephen Gonzales assisted by managing the scene and the helping family members, allowing the crews to focus entirely on patient care.
Officer Montague continued assisting responders and rode to the hospital in an ambulance helping the medic crew transport. While crew established an IV, and continued resuscitative efforts during the transport until the patient achieved the return of spontaneous circulation, regained a normal sinus rhythm, and began breathing spontaneously.