EMFD saves a life

A man was eating dinner at Margaritas Restaurant on Front Street on July 16 when he began choking. A call was immediately placed to the East Meadow Fire Department and the volunteers were on scene within two minutes.

A “code red” was sent out by radio indicating that the man was in a critical, life-threatening emergency. He was not breathing.

The first EMFD members to arrive on scene worked feverishly to administer life-saving techniques and within four minutes, an ambulance arrived on the scene and continued patient care. As the man’s condition improved, he was then transported to Nassau University Medical Center.

At the hospital, as members of Rescue 5 readied and restocked the ambulance for a future call, the fruits of their training and perseverance were noted as the man sat up and began breathing on his own.

“The members of the EMFD spend countless hours every year training to be prepared for an event such as this,” said a grateful Fire Chief, John Priest. “I am extremely proud of my members, not just for this call, but every day, however today, these members should be very proud of themselves, knowing full well that they saved a human life.”

In all, 14 medically certified East Meadow volunteers responded to the scene, including certified first responders, emergency medical technicians and paramedics.

In recent years, the members of the EMFD EMS systems have successfully saved lives on a number of occasions and this day was no different.

Once again, hats off for Rescue Company 5 and several additional company members who monitored radios and dropped what they were doing to be there for someone in need.