Ottawa Paramedic Service recognizes life-saving actions at Community Champion Coin Awards

Yesterday, Wednesday, May 14, the Ottawa Paramedic Service honoured the heroic, life-saving actions taken by nineteen members of the public during the second annual Community Champion Coin Awards. First aid provided by members of the community can have a powerful impact on the outcome of a medical emergency. By recognizing critical symptoms – such as those of cardiac arrest – and taking immediate action through CPR and defibrillation, members of the public can initiate the vital “chain of survival.” These early interventions enable paramedics to quickly provide the necessary care upon arrival and complete the chain. Through their selfless actions, these nineteen individuals remained calm under pressure and provided critical first aid during a medical emergency, actions that directly saved someone’s life:

• Sadia Khan, a bystander near Hogs Back Falls, jumped into the rapids to save a young boy who was swept away by the current. She grabbed a rock and held onto the boy until they were rescued by Ottawa Fire Services.
• Constable Kevin Brown, while off-duty enjoying the Ottawa River on his pontoon, noticed a man in distress in the water. He immediately began resuscitating the man and, when he regained consciousness, brought him to an awaiting transport unit from the Cooperative des paramédics de l‘Outaouais.
• Charles Tourigny, Mark Frankish, Kimberly Brent and Cameron Dunfee, staff at a local high school, saved the life of a 17-years-old student who went into cardiac arrest during gym class. They immediately started CPR and resuscitated the student with the school’s public access defibrillator.
• Carrie-Anne Cook, widow of Paramedic Superintendent Sean Cook, was grocery shopping when a man collapsed on the floor. Recognizing the signs of cardiac arrest, she performed CPR until the man regained consciousness.
• Katherine Dings, Niah Vardy, Tanis MacMahon and Ian Green, bystanders at a local martial arts studio, came to the aid of a man who collapsed while warming up before a session. They initiated CPR and used a public access defibrillator to restore his heart rhythm before paramedics arrived.
• Tanyse MacLeod was at home with her husband when he suddenly became pale and went unconscious on the sofa. She recognized the signs of a cardiac arrest and called 9-1-1, where she was guided through CPR and the use of the automated defibrillator they kept in their home until paramedics arrived.
• Kayla Collins, Terry Donegan, Robin Jordan and Laura Bethune, staff at the Ottawa Catholic School Board, heard a scream and immediately came to the assistance of a man having a seizure. Once the seizure stopped, they determined that the man was in cardiac arrest. They quickly began CPR and used a public access defibrillator to restore the man’s heart rhythm before paramedics arrived.
• John Wesson, Michael Pulchny and Caroline Koyman, bystanders at a pickleball court, came to the assistance of an older man who suddenly collapsed in cardiac arrest while playing. Immediately beginning CPR and using a public access defibrillator meant that paramedics could quickly take over when they arrived and, through this team effort, were able to resuscitate the player.

These individuals each received a Community Champion challenge coin for their outstanding commitment to keeping their community safe. The actions taken by these Community Champions and others help members of the public suffering a serious medical emergency or injury have a higher chance of survival. Ottawa Paramedic Service offers certification and recertification courses in first aid, cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and automated external defibrillator (AED). Visit ottawa.ca to learn more about these courses and others available through Ottawa Paramedic Service’s Public Education training centre. Quotes “This year's Community Champion award winners embody the very best of what it means to be a caring and courageous member of our city. When others were in need, they stepped up without hesitation. Their actions saved lives. Thank you for being there when it mattered most – you are true heroes and an inspiration to us all.” Mayor Mark Sutcliffe “These seven individuals were in the right place at the right time. Their willingness and readiness to drop everything and help someone, often a complete stranger, in medical distress shows how deeply our community cares for each other.” Councillor Riley Brockington, Chair of the Emergency Preparedness and Protective Services Committee