Longport first responders, including a bystander, were commended Sept. 20 for saving the life of a Galloway Township man. From left, Fire Chief Lefty Clayton, Beach Patrol Chief Tom Kresz, Lt. Mike McGrath, victim Vince Reale, nurse Joanne Miller, Asst. Chief Bruce Funk, Capt. Pat Armstrong, Commissioner of Public Safety Dan Lawler.
By NANETTE LoBIONDO GALLOWAY
LONGPORT – The Board of Commissioners Wednesday, Sept. 20 honored several first responders and a private citizen whose quick response saved the life of a man in cardiac arrest. The survivor was there to thank them in person.
“It is absolutely amazing what the Police Department, Fire Department and EMS section do on a daily basis, but every so often something occurs that is so extraordinary that it deserves special recognition,” Mayor Nicholas Russo said.
Longport Volunteer Fire Chief Levon “Lefty” Clayton said dispatch received a 911 call at 9:48 a.m. Friday, Aug. 18 reporting an unconscious male in cardiac arrest at boat slip G-11 at Seaview Harbor Marina. Joanne Miller of Bensalem, Pennsylvania, a nurse at Hospital of University of Pennsylvania who was at the next dock over, immediately responded to start chest compressions.
“A bystander responding in the early minutes and doing chest compressions was a large factor in saving his life,” Clayton said. “It’s nice that someone stepped in to offer assistance.”
Members of the Fire Department and Beach Patrol quickly responded to the location to discover the patient in an open rear deck of his boat, which limited the number of personnel that could treat the patient.
Clayton said many of the members of the Longport Beach Patrol have second jobs as firefighters and are certified EMTs who are available to respond to emergencies as needed.
Fire Department Acting Capt. Tom Kresz, who is chief of the Beach Patrol, and Lt. Michael McGrath, also of the Beach Patrol, arrived with police officers to take over CPR from the nurse. They used an automatic external defibrillator to deliver the first shock to the victim, Vincent Reale of Galloway Township.
An ambulance with Clayton and Assistant Fire Chief Bruce Funk arrived in an ambulance minutes later with the equipment needed to further treat the patient. Kresz delivered a second shock and Reale regained a pulse but remained unconscious.
AtlantiCare Parametics arrived on scene to deliver advanced life support that stabilized Reale for transport to AtlantiCare Regional Medical Center Mainland Campus. Capt. Patrick Armstrong, Acting Capt. Dante Vespertino, and Firefighter Joseph Dougherty arrived to assist in moving Reale off the boat.
Clayton said doctors at the hospital said that if Reale didn’t have the CPR and AED, he would not have survived.
“All the doctors complimented us on the quick response,” Clayton said.
Reale attended the meeting to thank Miller and first responders in person.
“Thank you all. I don’t remember much that day, but one of the mechanics on duty that day said he was amazed how fast you responded,” Reale said. “Only 7% of people who have heart problems outside of a hospital actually live.”
As they left the meeting room, a family member told first responders, “Thank you for keeping our family together.”
Clayton presented all the first responders with certificates of commendation.
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