CHELMSFORD – Chief James Spinney is proud to share that three members of the Chelmsford Police Department have been honored for their roles in saving the life of a Chelmsford resident.
During a major snowstorm on Saturday, Jan. 29, Chelmsford dispatchers received a call for a medical incident on Linwood Avenue. Dispatchers Lisa Demers and John Poor guided Randi Davidson through the initial stages of cardiopulmonary resuscitation on her husband, Scott Davidson.
Chelmsford Police Sgt. Stephen Fredericks, and Officers Aiden Gillis and Ashley Rokas arrived within three minutes, followed by paramedics from the Chelmsford Fire Department and PRIDEStar EMS.
The first responders used teamwork, critical life-saving training and a Zoll automated external defibrillator to keep Scott Davidson alive for transport to an area hospital.
Due to the swift response and professionalism of all who responded, Scott Davidson recovered and fully participated in his daughter’s wedding five weeks later.
A ceremony was held in the lobby of Zoll Medical’s corporate headquarters on Wednesday, May 18. The event coincided with National EMS Week, this year held May 15-21 to celebrate medical first responders and their vital role in their communities.
All first responders were honored as part of Zoll’s Heroes for Life Program, which recognizes rescuers for their heroism and celebrates survivors of sudden cardiac arrest.
Scott Davidson acknowledged the first responders, and especially his wife for her actions in the critical first few minutes.
“Thank you very much for making a difference. Thank you, thank you, thank you,” he told the first responders.
“I want to get out the message: Learn CPR,” he added.
As part of Heroes for Life, Zoll Medical gifted the Davidsons a Zoll AED, which they will pay forward by donating it to the charity of their choice.
Also honored at the ceremony were Chelmsford Fire Department Capt. Dan Funaro, and Firefighters Patrick McGarry and Gregory Sparks; and PRIDEStar Paramedics Angel Martinez and Cody Anderson, and EMTs Nicole St. Peter and Justin Violette
“To see the end of this story in person, rather than reading about it in a report, is very powerful,” Chief Spinney said. “Thank you to Zoll Medical, and congratulations to our officers and to our partners in the Chelmsford Fire Department and PRIDEStar EMS for receiving this recognition. And I would like to especially thank Dispatchers Demers and Poor, who were instrumental in bringing this call to a successful outcome.”
