On Tuesday May 12th at the Quarterly meeting of the Suffolk County REMSCO (Regional Emergency Medical Services Council) members of the Cutchogue Fire Department were honored for their actions on June 3, 2014 that resulted in a Pre-Hospital CPR save.

Suffolk REMSCO routinely recognizes agencies throughout Suffolk County for lifesaving actions.

Members from CFD attended the meeting and were presented with certificates by the REMSCO Chairman.

On Tuesday evening June 3, 2014 at about 11:00 p.m., the CFD was alerted to respond to the the end of East Rd. in the Fleet's neck area of Cutchogue for a reported unresponsive person.

The call was received when two area residents who happened to be near the road end, observed the victim walking to his vehicle after he was fishing on the beach. He was carrying fishing poles and fishing gear when he suddenly collapsed to the ground.

The two bystanders quickly dialed 911 starting the chain of survival.

The Cutchogue Fire Department and Southold Town Police units were immediately dispatched.

First Responders arrived on scene within three minutes after dispatch to find a 47-year-old male lying unconcious in the roadway near his vehicle with no pulse or respirations.

CPR was immediatley intitiated and an Automated External Defribrilator (AED) that is carried in the CFD Chief's vehicles was applied to the victim. Almost immediately after 1 shock, his heart began to beat again on its own. A short time later the victim began to gasp for air just as the ambulance was arriving on scene.

The patient was quickly packaged and was transported by ambulance to Peconic Bay Medical Center in Riverhead as his condition continued to improve.

Thanks to the efforts of the crew that evening, the patient is alive and has recovered after treatment at Stony Brook University Medical Center.

The Commissioners, Chiefs and Members of the Cutchogue Fire Department would like to commend and thank the members of CFD and responding officers from the Southold Town Police for your lifesaving efforts.

Thank you to the two bystanders who recognized an emergency and had the presence to dial 911. Your actions truly saved a life.

Ironically this incident occurred during National CPR / AED awareness week, which is being celebrated in June of each year.

Thank you to Suffolk REMSCO for taking the time to recognize agencies throughout Suffolk County for their actions.