Public Access To Defibrillators A Life-Saving Move

By Sean Tyler

As defibrillators have become increasingly affordable and incredibly easy to use, these life-saving devices are becoming more common in public buildings. When every second counts, the public should have immediate access to defibrillators in order to stabilize a heart attack victim in the moments before the emergency medical teams can arrive.

This new technology offers one of the most important inventions in public health. As people become more familiar with the new technology, we can expect to see the rate of sudden heart attack fatalities drop significantly. Locally, the public was introduced to the life-saving effectiveness of defibrillators on September 14, 2002, when a referee collapsed after suffering a heart attack on the Wellesley High School football field. Fortunately, an automatic external defibrillator (AED) was on hand, along with an athletic trainer who knew what to do; the referee's life was saved. Additionally, the defibrillators made headlines in the spring of 2000 when a spectator at the Ryder Cup collapsed. Using an AED or automatic external defibrillator, the Fallon paramedics saved his life. Following the incident, the Brookline Country Club purchased two automatic external defibrillators and trained their staff to use them. Many local country clubs have followed their lead.

Chicago's O'Hare Airport has installed the AEDs every 25 feet, next to emergency phones and fire extinguishers. When a device is taken from the wall, a call immediately goes out to an emergency medical team, enabling a quick medical follow-up.

The devices cost between $1,500 and about $4,000 and companies are currently developing smaller, cheaper versions for possible use in private homes. The AEDs are so easy to use they actually talk people through the process. Once the device is turned on, electro pads are attached to the victim's chest. A microprocessor inside the defibrillator determines whether the heart rhythm is abnormal, a condition known as ventricular fibrillation. If the heart rhythm is abnormal, the device automatically sends a series of electrical jolts through the chest wall to shock the heart. If the rhythm is normal the device won't work. Consequently, there is virtually no chance of administering a shock accidentally.

With minimal training, the newest devices are so simple to use that manufacturers claim they are designed to be used in an emergency by a sixth-grader. Training with the AEDs is now part of the curriculum for basic CPR. As far as liability, businesses and individuals alike should understand that Massachusetts, along with most other states, has a Good Samaritan law that protects individuals acting in good faith who help victims.

In the United States alone, greater than 350,000 adults die from sudden cardiac arrest each year. Sudden cardiac arrest is not preventable and can occur in cardiac patients as well as those lacking signs of cardiac illness.

In sudden cardiac arrest, the most frequently, and successfully, used emergency life-saving method is the use of the external defibrillator, which corrects cardiac ventricular fibrillation through the application of electrical shock. Since the most successful response to sudden cardiac arrest is rapid, immediate application of shock by defibrillator, every minute of delay reduces the chances of success by 10 percent.

Even with the best emergency response teams on alert, it can take emergency personnel 3 to 5 minutes to reach a patient once they've entered a commercial building. The concept of defibrillators has clearly caught on, with public buildings, stadiums and casinos adding this to their standard first aid competence. A number of aircrafts have also added defibrillators. As the devices become more commonplace, it makes sense for buildings with large numbers of people to install them. It is particularly prudent to employ the devices in areas that are more difficult to access, such as high rises or large complexes.

For further information on automatic external defibrillators and defibrillator training in your community, you may contact your local police or fire departments, the American Heart Association or your local ambulance service.

Two Hooded Seals Get Ambulance Ride To Freedom!

File under: "Not your usual ambulance passengers”!

It was shortly after 10 a.m. on a Saturday when an ambulance came rolling across the Powder Point Bridge in Duxbury to a parking lot near the open ocean. No lights, no sirens—but unmistakably an ambulance.

This time, though, the transported patients weren't humans, but two hooded seals, being taken to their release destination—the ocean at Duxbury Beach. The ambulance that gave these two seals their ride to freedom was donated by Fallon Ambulance to the New England Aquarium in the fall of 2000.

"For us, the Aquarium donation was a wonderful opportunity," said Peter Racicot, Fallon's Senior Vice President of Business Development, adding, "It helps the environment, helps a great organization continue to do their work, and gives a helping hand where needed." He said that some of the Fallon staff had suggested renaming the ambulance the "Dolph-Ulance" because of its new mission. He added, "The vehicles that we trade in or donate have lots of miles left in them, and it's great to see these vehicles undergo a 'second career.'”

The two seals had been treated at the New England Aquarium's satellite site in Duxbury. "Patch" and "Mini-patch" were rescued in Cape Elizabeth, Maine, and Assateague Island, Virginia, respectively. Patch, the larger seal, was rescued in August, and when found stranded, was dehydrated and underweight. He was also discovered eating beach sand—a sign that the animal's condition was worsening rapidly.

Mini-patch, who was stranded in early September, suffered similar ailments. Both were sent to Duxbury for rehabilitation. The New England Aquarium's Rehabilitation Center is located on the waterfront on land owned by the Battelle Memorial Institute.

"Just like people, seals come to Boston for great medical care," said an official of the New England Aquarium.

Staff News

Heather Doucette has recently been promoted to the position of Manager of Training and Education in the Clinical Services department at Fallon Ambulance. In this role, she will oversee and manage educational programs for Fallon's growing staff of Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs) and paramedics, as well as provide training and guidance for new employees. Training includes everything from treating bee stings to heart attacks, as well as dealing with trauma of all kinds. For new employees, this includes coordinating their training which comprises riding with a preceptor (experienced EMT/paramedic) and gaining the experience necessary to perform independently. She also will work closely with the communities that Fallon Ambulance services, assisting with developing CPR training as well as other community outreach programs.

In addition to the training for EMTs and paramedics, which the company adds at a rate of six per week, Heather coordinates external training programs. Recently, she coordinated a program that saw more than 200 graduating seniors from Randolph High School become proficient in CPR; earlier this year, a similar program was planned for Weymouth educational personnel.

Heather served Fallon Ambulance as a Field Provider/paramedic for six years prior to being named Manager of Training and Education.

She traces her interest in the field of health care to her days in the United States Navy, where she was on active duty from 1993 to 1997. During her Navy time, she became an EMT, working in San Diego, New Orleans, and at the overseas location of Diego Garcia.

She earned her degree in Emergency Services from Palomar College in California, and was valedictorian of her graduating class.

Doucette's military service included a Navy/Marine Corps Achievement medal for her work in dangerous medivac situations. On Diego Garcia, at the southern tip of the Indian Ocean, the isolated island contained large quantities of jet fuel used for nuclear propulsion. The island was considered dangerous enough so that no ships were allowed to dock. When someone needed assistance, Doucette's outfit assisted the Merchant Marine; they would need to go out and board the boat to treat the ill or injured persons and arrange to transport them to wherever they needed to go. With one African ship, a trauma patient on board had been seriously injured in a 30-foot fall. Doucette assisted with the medivac through choppy seas to treat the patient. The rescue involved using a tugboat and a rope and pulley system to lower the patient into the tugboat and prepare for his evacuation.

In her spare time, she enjoys gourmet cooking. She resides in East Bridgewater with her husband George and daughter Emma.

"Heather's skills have always been a tremendous asset to us at Fallon Ambulance," said Peter Racicot, Senior Vice President. He added, "We look forward to expanding our training programs and capabilities under her capable guidance."

John Rzasa is celebrating his 35th year of service with the company. His only plans to leave will be upon his retirement in 2010 and the Fallon family, gratefully, would not have it any other way.

Armed with a First Aid Card from the Boy Scouts, John was hired by the company founder, Ray Fallon Sr., on December 7, 1965, as a first aid provider. In those days the company had six ambulances, three in Dorchester and three in Cambridge, and a half-dozen employees. Today, Fallon Ambulance employs 425 staff and has a fleet of over 100 ambulances with trained paramedics and EMTs.

Times have changed for the ambulance industry and John has been there every step of the way. In the early years, he remembers that clients used to tip for ambulance transports; a $2 tip was common for transports to Deaconess Hospital. While the company didn't encourage employees to take tips, John says that clients were offended if a tip was refused.

Over the years, John traveled the highways for out-of-state medical transports, often to New York City to bring patients with head traumas back to Boston for treatment. Other medical transports included trips to Washington, DC, and Quebec, Canada.

When former President George Bush was vice president, he visited the area, and John was assigned to the motorcade with the Secret Service. He also stood by throughout the night in case medical assistance was necessary. In 1965, Queen Elizabeth came to Boston aboard her yacht, the Britannia, which was docked next to the Constitution in Boston Harbor. John was assigned to the Queen and fortunately was not needed. He has also driven ambulances for a documentary aired by the British Broadcasting Corporation and for a movie in which he drove around the rotary in South Boston with lights flashing a dozen times until filming was complete.

“I've had a wonderful time with the best company you could ever work for,” said John. “Mr. Fallon, the founder, was a great guy, and his son, Ray, who recently retired as CEO, is a true gentleman and wonderful person. Either of them would give you the shirt off their back. In fact, the whole family is inspiring, always doing for others.”

Working for the Fallon family business has been such a great experience that John's son has followed in his footsteps and started his career with Fallon Ambulance.

Sean Stentiford has recently been named Director of Clinical Services.

Originally from Wakefield, Sean comes to Fallon Ambulance with an extensive background in emergency medical services. He has 14 years of experience as a paramedic with more than 16 years overall as an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT). His relationship with Fallon Ambulance includes a “first.” He was one of the company's first paramedics, and was on the crew that provided the company's first Advance Life Support (ALS) treatment.

Prior to his recent appointment to Director of Clinical Services at Fallon Ambulance, Sean was a paramedic with the former Life Line Ambulance Service of Wakefield, Lawrence General Hospital Paramedic Services, and with Boston Emergency Medical Services, and was an elected member of the Executive Board (Secretary) of the EMS Division of the Boston Police Patrolmen's Association. Sean also attends and participates in many state and regional committee meetings related to the provision of EMS care in Massachusetts.

A graduate of Northeastern University's Paramedic Program, he additionally holds a Bachelor's of Science summa cum laude from Northeastern, with a major in political science and a focus in public policy. His connection with his alma mater continues; Stentiford serves as a guest lecturer in Northeastern's Paramedic Program. He has also taught Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) in the Republic of Panama.

His work in the field of emergency medical services also earned him national recognition. A few years ago, he talked an eight-year-old boy in Boston into successfully delivering his mother's baby. His actions caught the attention of CBS, and he was a guest on “CBS This Morning” when the national network broadcast from Boston during a special EMS Week.

A native of Wakefield, he has family throughout the South Shore, including Scituate, Hingham, Weymouth, and Milton.

“Sean's expertise and background make him a natural for the position of Director of Clinical Services,” said Peter Racicot, Senior Vice President of Business Development at Fallon Ambulance Service. He added, “We are delighted to have him fill this key role and know that he will be of tremendous assistance as our firm continues to expand its market.”