Governor Chafee and Secretary of State Mollis to Honor Heroes for Lifesaving Exploits

PROVIDENCE, RI  – Governor Lincoln D. Chafee and Secretary of State A. Ralph Mollis to honor 15 Rhode Islanders with the 2014 Rhode Island Lifesaving Medal, the state’s highest award for heroics while saving human life.

 

The ceremony will be in the Governor’s State Room at the State House on Thursday, September 4th, 2014 at 3:00 p.m.

 

“Because of the tremendous acts of bravery by Rhode Islanders, who demonstrated courage and selflessness, eight people are alive today,” Governor Chafee said. “I commend these heroes. They are true role models, and their compassion and willingness to go above and beyond to assist those in dire need has made our State a better place.”

 

“It is an honor and a privilege to publicly honor so many heroic men and women, who put their own lives on the line to courageously save the life of another,” Mollis said.  “The heroic efforts of the police officers, firefighters and EMTs we are honoring, speak volumes of the character of Rhode Islanders.”

 

The State Lifesaving Medal was created under state law to recognize the heroism of firefighters, police officers and civilians who save human life in Rhode Island.  The awards are given annually.

 

Among those receiving this prestigious award this year are:
Trooper James A. D’Angelo – RI State Police
Trooper D’Angelo was on patrol when he noticed Patrolman Jason M. Eastwood of the Hopkinton Police Department conducting a motor vehicle stop, where a woman was standing outside her vehicle, and her passenger, a male, was unresponsive with labored breathing and a faint pulse.  The woman stated she was unable to wake her passenger who had fallen asleep, and told officers she believed he was suffering a medical emergency due to his dependence on opiates/oxycodone.  Trooper D’Angelo administered Naloxone and rescue personnel stabilized the victim.

Patrolman Jason M. Eastwood – Hopkington Police Department
Trooper D’Angelo was on patrol when he noticed Patrolman Jason M. Eastwood of the Hopkinton Police Department conducting a motor vehicle stop, where a woman was standing outside her vehicle, and her passenger, a male, was unresponsive with labored breathing and a faint pulse.  The woman stated she was unable to wake her passenger who had fallen asleep, and told officers she believed he was suffering a medical emergency due to his dependence on opiates/oxycodone.  Trooper D’Angelo administered Naloxone and rescue personnel stabilized the victim.
Bruce Quinn – Assistant Explosives and Flammable Liquids Tech
During a performance of the Barnum and Bailey Circus Human Chandelier act, when a clamp that held the eight acrobats hanging by their hair, 25 to 40 feet in the air malfunctioned, Bruce ran to the injured performers, who were on the ground in a pile with bloodied faces and clothing.  Bruce stabilized one performer, Stephanie, who had a compound fracture, and was screaming in pain.  Stephanie was in and out of consciousness, and Bruce kept her awake and talking until EMTs arrived.  He also helped other performers and directed arriving rescues onto the floor of the Dunkin Donuts Center.
Jermaine Woods, Firefighter First Class of the Providence Fire Dept.
Firefighter Woods was visiting relatives in the City of Pawtucket on November 5th, 2013 while off-duty, when he heard an explosion at 9:00 a.m.  A triple-decker home at 422 Mineral Spring Avenue in was engulfed in flames with debris from the explosion littering the street.  He entered the building and ran to the third floor, where he found Mr. Ruben Gonzalez with second-degree burns over 40 percent of his body and in a state of shock.  He also found Ms. Rubie Oliveiras and her 9-month-old infant.  A first floor tenant assisted Mr. Gonzalez out of the building, while Firefighter Woods wrapped Ms. Oliveiras and her baby in his sweatshirt and led them to safety.
Members of the Westerly Ambulance Corps – Dispatcher Ronald J. MacDonald III., Cardiac Technician Patrick Majeika, EMT Kimberly DePerry, Jace Laplante, Nicholas Lassell
When a call came in for a possible drowning victim with CPR in progress by Lifeguards, at a local beach, Dispatcher Ronald J. MacDonald III., who took the call, diverted the ambulance that was responding to a different call to the scene of the cardiac arrest and sent a mutual aid ambulance to the lower priority call.  The ambulance was on scene within 3 minutes of the 911 call.  When crews arrived, Lifeguards had pulled the victim from the water and began CPR.  The patient had a pulse, and Cardiac Technician Patrick Majeika and EMT Kimberly DePerry provided care.  Jace Laplant and Nicholas Lassell were also on scene assisting with getting the crew supplies and driving the ambulance to the hospital.

Edward Catoni and Ronald Jennings – Providence Park Rangers

Providence Park Rangers Edward Catoni and Ronald Jennings were on patrol when they received a call for check of well-being.  They met with Nancy Radcliffe who stated that her son, who suffers from depression and bi-polar disorder, and PTSD, was off his medication and wandered away from her toward Waterplace Park, in a state of upset.  When Rangers found Geoffrey, her son, he’d jumped onto the ice on the Providence River, which was cracking beneath him.  Catoni and Jennings ran toward him and grabbed his arms and legs, prevening him from traveling any further on the ice.  They, along with arriving officers managed to pull him to safety and to a waiting rescue.

 

Lt. Matthew Moulton and Jonathan Sunquist – Central Falls, F.D.

Lt. Matthew Moulton and Jonathan Sunquist were dispatched to the home of a 25-year-old male in cardiac arrest.  When they arrived, the victim’s family, whose son was in full cardiac arrest, met them.  A mechanical device known as an auto-pulse immediately performed CPR, IV medications were administered and pulses were established, and the patient presented with the return of spontaneous respirations en route to the hospital.  Today, this man is alive and doing well, thanks to the heroic efforts of this team.

 

Lt. Robert St. Andre and Bryan Trudel – Cumberland Rescue Service

Lt. Robert St. Andre and Bryan Trudel were dispatched to the home of a 25-year-old  male in cardiac arrest.  When they arrived, the victim’s family, whose son was in full cardiac arrest, met them.  A mechanical device known as an auto-pulse immediately performed CPR, IV medications were administered and pulses were established, and the patient presented with the return of spontaneous respirations en route to the hospital.  Today, this man is alive and doing well, thanks to the heroic efforts of this team.

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