SOUTHWICK – The school committee recognized more than a dozen people at their meeting on Tuesday night. Superintendent Jen Willard gave some individuals a certificate of appreciation for their efforts in helping save a life.
A 31-year-old staff member at Southwick Regional High School, whose identity has been held, collapsed at the high school on Tuesday June 6 with a heart ailment. The individual was revived with an AED (Automatic Emergency Defibrillator).
Members of the community who came to this person’s aid include the high school nurse, the school resource officer, an on-duty police officer, an on-duty EMT (Emergency Medical Technician), dispatch, staff members at the high school, and employees at Noble Hospital.
Superintendent Jen Willard hands an individual a certificate of appreciation as Police Chief David Ricardi and Fire Chief Russ Anderson thank him. (Photo by Greg Fitzpatrick)
Before handing certificates to the deserving “heroes”, Willard touched on just how special the people are that assisted in the emergency situation.
“You have done nothing but impress me, you were calm and you were all-around supportive,” said Willard. “You are what makes this community special.”
Jessica Bishop, who is a Southwick firefighter and EMT, was at the scene and praised everyone involved.
“This was just teamwork,” said Bishop. “People reacted under professional manners.”
While a medical emergency is never something that any first responder wants to have happen, it will always be something they are prepared for.
“This is what we train for,” said Southwick Fire Chief Russ Anderson.
The AED that was used to revive the person was made available due to a grant from KEVS Foundation, which is an organization that was created by Kevin Major’s mother Susan Canning. Major died six years ago after suffering a heart attack while on Congamond Lake.
