Last year, Northumberland County resident Michael Tarrington was working in his garage when he developed a tightness and pain in his chest. After his wife Lori called 9-1-1, paramedics arrived and confirmed Michael was having a heart attack.
En route to hospital, when Michael’s heart and breathing stopped, the crew began CPR and administered defibrillation. Michael’s heartbeat returned, and he was transferred to the hospital for further care.
Michael’s story was one of 10 stories of survival shared on Thursday (October 21) during Northumberland County’s seventh annual Survivor Night ceremony, which saw Northumberland first responders and survivors of cardiac arrest come together to honour emergency responders for their role in supporting the successful resuscitation of people who suffered an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest in 2021.
Lightning Bolt Awards were presented to 51 emergency responders, including Matt Rollwagen and Marcelle Read of Northumberland Paramedics, who saved Michael Tarrington’s life with the assistance of Central Ambulance Communications Centre dispatchers Christopher Roscoe and Shelley Harrison.
“Survivor Night is an opportunity to honour our outstanding emergency services personnel who play a critical role in the health and safety of our community,” said Northumberland County CAO Jennifer Moore. “The presentation of Lightning Bolt awards is in recognition of the life-saving care provided by recipients in highly stressful situations and of their exceptional commitment and selflessness in serving the public when we need them most.”
According to Northumberland Paramedics Chief Susan Brown, emergency services teams in Northumberland County respond to tens of thousands of calls for help each year.
“The stories shared tonight are inspiring examples of the care and compassion these professionals demonstrate every time they are called upon to respond to a life-saving emergency,” Chief Brown said.
