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Capt. Shaun Tripodi and firefighters Keven O'Brien, Kevin Campbell and Richard Walsh were given the Police and Firemen's Insurance Association Meritorius Service Award in a ceremony Tuesday. It's given to firefighters and police officers who save a life with minimal potential for personal harm.
On Sept. 3, Engine Company #6 was dispatched along with Stamford EMS to a Glenbrook Road home on a report of an 86-year-old man who was unconscious and not breathing. Oxygen, ventilation and CPR was initiated by the firefighters, who also used the AED device, which indicated no shock advised. After EMS arrived, the firefighters continued to use the LUCAS device to continue chest compressions. Soon after the man regained a palpable pulse and spontaneous respirations.
The man was transported to Stamford Hospital in relatively stable condition.
Deputy Fire Chief Patrick Tripodi, who is also the PFIA representative, said it's the fraternal benevolent society offers insurance for member firefighters and police officers.
He said half of the fire department's calls are EMS-related. The call for which the firefighters were honored shows the importance of training and equipping firefighters to act as EMS responders.
"Half of our runs are EMS. We touch a lot of people with that service and we really make a difference," Tripodi said.
"We have all been in the same position and on that particular day on Sept. 3 these four men made the difference in someone's life," he said.
"This emphasizes the importance of the fire department first responders, especially as EMT level responders that with our skills, our training and our equipment we can really make a difference," he said. "We touch a lot of people."
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