Two Marion County Fire Rescue employees were recently awarded a Cardiac Arrest Save Medal after their actions helped save a 47-year-old patient’s life.
On June 15, 2022, EMT Salvatore Diiorio and Paramedic Brian Gardner were assigned to MCFR’s Medic 56 unit when a call for service was received regarding a cardiac incident with CPR that was in progress at an apartment complex in Ocala, according to MCFR.
MCFR’s Medic 56 unit, along with Ocala Fire Rescue’s Engine 3 and Rescue 3 units, responded to the incident location. The patient’s mother had contacted the Ocala Police Department for a well-being check after the patient had missed a doctor’s appointment.
When crews arrived on scene, they found the 47-year-old patient who was laying on the floor and did not have a pulse. OFR crew members moved quickly to secure the patient’s airway. Ventilation was started and the crew members began life-saving CPR.
Gardner sprang into action and loaded the patient into Medic 56. He requested two riders from OFR and the continuation of advanced life support care. While the patient was being transported to the hospital, the return of spontaneous circulation was received.
The patient’s care was transferred to the hospital, and the patient made a full recovery. After a few days in the hospital, the patient was able to return home.
MCFR credits the “rapid interventions while remaining calm under an immense amount of pressure” for enabling Diiorio and Gardner to deliver the patient to the hospital with a pulse.
On its Facebook webpage, Marion County Fire Rescue stated, “Thank you to PM Brian Gardner and EMT Sal Diiorio, you make us proud.”