Published on October 30, 2023
City Emergency Services Members Recognized For Lifesaving Expertise
The City of St. Albert is proud to share the outstanding achievements of two dedicated members of Fire Services who were recently presented with Excellence in Resuscitation Coins.
Steve Murdoch and Ryan Lawrence, who both serve as Advanced Care Paramedics (ACPs) as well as firefighters with St. Albert Fire Services, were recognized for their exceptional skills in resuscitation and their contributions to the health and safety of St. Albert residents.
The awards were presented by St. Albert Fire Services Stephen Underhay, Assistant Chief of Operations, and Fred Hollands, Emergency Medical Services Coordinator, Emergency Services at the 2nd Annual Excellence in Resuscitation Coin Ceremony in Red Deer on October 16. The pair received a Challenge Coin and certificate alongside a group of 59 other individuals. The program is hosted by the Alberta Health Services Emergency Medical Services (AHS EMS) Science and Research Team and funded by the EMS Foundation.
Award Criteria
Evaluation for the award involves a thorough audit of all available information on cardiac arrest cases in Alberta, with a primary focus on the quality of resuscitation efforts. This is determined by measuring the Chest Compression Fraction, or the proportion of total resuscitation time devoted to actual chest compressions, along with rate of compression and pauses. The ideal rate falls within the range of 100 to 110 compressions per minute, while the goal is to minimize the number of pauses and keep them as brief as possible. Notably, the patient's outcome is not the sole determining factor in assessing excellence.
Rescue Efforts
Last winter, Murdoch and Lawrence were assigned to a St. Albert Fire Services Ambulance and were assisting AHS EMS members responding to an early morning residential fire where a patient was removed from the burning home and was in need of cardiac resuscitation. The ensuing efforts of AHS paramedics and emergency service personnel Murdoch and Lawrence achieved a 95% Chest Compression Fraction with an average compression rate of 114 per minute, surpassing the recommended rate, along with maintaining zero pauses lasting longer than 10 seconds and the longest pause lasting only seven seconds.
Their accomplishments become even more remarkable considering the demanding circumstances they faced, as achieving efficient and high-quality resuscitation in the unpredictable environment of a residential fire can be particularly challenging.
Everett Cooke, Director, Emergency Services (Fire Chief) for the City of St. Albert, praised the dedication of his employees, stating, "We are proud of Steve and Ryan’s achievement. Their unwavering commitment to excellence in resuscitation sets a high standard for our emergency response team. This recognition provides the opportunity to applaud the dedication and hard work of the individuals who provide these essential skills around the clock for our community, even in very tough situations.”
This sentiment was echoed at the award ceremony through the impactful stories shared by families in attendance whose lives had been affected by unforeseen cardiac events. They expressed their appreciation for the work of first responders, recognizing the vital role they play in providing the help and expertise their loved ones needed during critical moments.
High-Quality Care
To ensure readiness for various medical and traumatic emergencies, City ambulances and fire engines are staffed with ACPs who undergo annual high-performance CPR training, enabling them to provide effective life-saving measures. Equipped with Physio Control LifePak 15 cardiac monitors and recently acquired Lucas Chest Compression Devices, these vehicles can diagnose heart conditions, deliver defibrillation and act as pacemakers. The goal is to increase the likelihood of achieving Return of Spontaneous Circulation (ROSC), which means restoring the patient's heartbeat in all cardiac arrest cases.
Each year, EMS staff respond to approximately 37 to 55 cardiac arrest cases. St. Albert Fire Services, in addition to handling medical and traumatic events, fire incidents, and motor vehicle collisions responds to roughly 7,000 to 8,000 calls annually.
“Every call is important to us,” says Chief Cooke. “As an organization, the City is proud of the high-quality care that our EMS team consistently delivers to our community, neighbors and visitors.”
Read more about the AHS EMS Excellence in Resuscitation Coins Program.
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Last edited: October 31, 2023