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Knights of Columbus to recognize Woodmere EMTs
People typically get upset when they’re late for work, but Hewlett resident Paul Raphael was lucky that his 7:22 a.m. Long Island Rail Road train last Dec. 19 was 20 minutes late.
Raphael, 55, suffered a heart attack and collapsed just as the train finally pulled into the Hewlett station, and a conductor immediately called for help to those on the platform and dialed 911.
Woodmere Fire Department emergency medical technicians Lt. Ross Rieman, firefighter Shereen Torbati and Lt. Meir Shibowitz responded, along with Nassau County Police Department 4th Precinct officer Scott Russell. Raphael is still trying to find out the name of the conductor.
Using cardiopulmonary resuscitation and an automated external defibrillator, the Woodmere EMTs stabilized Raphael so he could be taken by Nassau County police ambulance to South Nassau Communities Hospital in Oceanside, and then to North Shore LIJ Hospital in New Hyde Park.
“They saved me from death,” said Raphael, who is a fabric salesman in Manhattan’s Garment District. “Without EMT help, I wouldn’t have survived. My heart goes to the people who help save others’ lives.”
Rieman, a six-year veteran of the department, said it was a joint effort, along with the Hewlett Fire Department and county police. “We treated a patient in critical condition,” he said. “We provided emergency medical response and resuscitated and stabilized him.”
Raphael underwent open-heart bypass surgery at North Shore LIJ. He was out of work for three months, but was back on the job in March. “I believe that God created a scenario that made the train late because if it wasn’t, I would not have gotten the immediate help and would have died that day,” Raphael said. “This scenario was purely God’s mercy and his kindness that I am alive today to express my gratitude and heartfelt thanks to the people who helped me and saved me from the verge of death.”
A member of the Father John Farrell Council 5962 Knights of Columbus, which is affiliated with St. Joseph’s R.C. Church in Hewlett, Raphael, the 2014-15 grand knight, will be recognized at the organization’s annual dinner, and Rieman, Torbati and Shibowitz will be honored for their efforts. Deacon Dan Otten will also be acknowledged for his longtime service to the Knights of Columbus.
“We are honoring everyone for the service to our community,” said K of C member Frank Ruta.
“If it wasn’t for the EMTs, [Paul] most likely would have died,” said fellow member Peter Chiofolo.
The dinner is Oct. 3 at the Woodmere Country Club, at 99 Meadow Drive. For tickets and more information, go to www.kofc5962.org or call (516) 526-3142.
“It’s a great honor to be recognized for our efforts,” Rieman said. “This is what we do day in and day out.”
