EMT student assists on life-saving emergency call

[from the Franklin News-Post]
Monday, October 24, 2011
By MORRIS STEPHENSON - Staff Writer

A Franklin County High School Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) student recently had a life-changing experience when she played a role in saving the life of a heart-attack victim.

Brittany Cook, 16, was at the Franklin County Department of Public Safety office in a study session with instructor Eric Newman when he received a "patient down" call.

Cook went with Newman to the scene of the emergency, where Dr. Charles Lane, medical director; Sherry Lane, a registered nurse and EMT; Tom Firebaugh, an EMT; and Ron Gearheart, Michael Pruitt and John Scott, paramedics, were performing cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) on the patient.

Several minutes into the resuscitation attempt, the patient regained a pulse and started breathing on his own, according to Newman. The patient was then transported to the hospital for treatment and later released, Newman said.

"It was a very rewarding experience for all of the EMS providers," Newman said. "Brittany responded to the incident like the young professional that she is. She performed CPR like a seasoned professional. With the others providing intravenous (IV) fluids, medications and defibrillation, Brittany rotated with other members of the team providing high quality CPR for the patient," he added. "For a student's first call to result in an actual life saved is very rewarding."