Washington County Honors Life-Saving First Responders with Prestigious Award

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In a display of community resilience and expert medical response, the Washington County Division of Emergency Services has celebrated its local heroes with the prestigious Life Savers Award. The accolade recognizes the exceptional teamwork and skill demonstrated by first responders in resuscitating patients facing cardiac arrest.

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A notable incident from October 10, 2024, underscored the importance of swift and coordinated care. Thomas Mellott experienced a sudden cardiac event while at work in Needmore, Pennsylvania. His friend Alvin Shives promptly initiated CPR, maintaining vital circulation for approximately 12 minutes until additional help arrived. The Needmore Volunteer Fire Company, along with the dispatch of LifeNet Air Medical, further stabilized Mr. Mellott as he was monitored with an AED before being flown to a medical center.

The response was further bolstered by the collaborative efforts of several specialized teams. Members of the Needmore Volunteer Fire Department, along with units from Washington County—including EMS Supervisor Captain Lauren Hopkins, EMTs Mary Barnhart and Alex Seburn, and paramedic teams led by Kaitlyn Cline and Robert Myerly—provided advanced care and life-saving medication. After emergency cardiac catheterization at Meritus Medical Center and subsequent treatment at Hershey Medical Center, Mr. Mellott expressed gratitude by attending the award ceremony.

“This incident is a testament to the outstanding working relationship we have with our neighboring counties and emergency medical teams,” said Casey McKnight, EMS Supervisor for DES. “The coordinated response between multiple agencies, the immediate CPR efforts of Mr. Shives, and the skillful intervention of paramedics and air medical teams ensured that Mr. Mellott had the best possible chance of survival. This is exactly why we train and prepare for these situations.”

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Additional acts of heroism were highlighted during the ceremony, with first responders recognized for successful interventions in several other cardiac arrest cases throughout 2024. These incidents, ranging from the utilization of defibrillation techniques to the application of dual sequential defibrillation and advanced resuscitation protocols, underscore the continuous efforts to improve emergency care. The ceremony honored various teams, including those from Community Rescue Service and Halfway EMS, emphasizing the strong partnerships and commitment to community safety.

The Life Savers Award ceremony honored the work of first responders in several additional cardiac arrest cases throughout 2024:

January 20 – Paramedic James Grove, EMT Timothy Necessory, and Lieutenant Brandon Neuenschwander from Community Rescue Service Medic 754 successfully revived a patient who collapsed while unloading a truck.
April 30 – Captain Justin Ruppenthal, Paramedic Rachael Moran, EMT Christopher Nauman, and Sarah Milburn from Community Rescue Service Medic 755 utilized defibrillation and CPR to save an unresponsive female patient.
September 6 – Paramedic Rachel Buck, EMT Sarah Nichols, and Captain Dennis Browne from Community Rescue Service Medic 752 applied dual sequential defibrillation, a technique recently adopted in Maryland EMS protocols, to resuscitate a cardiac arrest patient.
September 22 – Captain Justin Ruppenthal, Paramedic Kurtis Meunier, FF/EMT John Sharpe, and Paramedic Meaghan Jackson from Halfway EMS Medic 268 used advanced defibrillation techniques to restore a pulse in a patient who became unresponsive in a vehicle.
September 27 – Captain Casey McKnight and Deputy Director Dave Chisholm from the Division of Emergency Services EMS 1811 provided critical care to a patient in cardiac arrest, ultimately restoring a pulse and facilitating a successful recovery.
November 11 – Paramedic Leah Keefer, Paramedic Donald Lehman, EMT Betty Buskirk, EMTPeter Mitchell, and FF/Paramedic Zach Robinson from Hancock Medic 592 and Division of Emergency Services EMS 1811 successfully revived a patient in Hancock after multiple rounds of CPR and defibrillation.

The Life Savers Award reflects the dedication of local emergency medical professionals and the positive impact of inter-agency collaboration in critical situations. The coordinated responses have not only saved lives but also reinforced the importance of ongoing training and preparedness in emergency services, ensuring that community members receive the best possible care when every second counts.