The Mount Rainier Chapter of the American Red Cross recently gave awards for heroic acts by members of the community. This is what they posted on facebook regarding two of the recipients from Lacey Fire District and the picture is from Fitzgeralds Photography in Lacey.
“Red Cross Medical Rescue Heroes
Award Sponsor: Providence St. Peter Hospital
Firefighters Ethan Kruse and Mike Perry of Lacey Fire Department were on duty February 13, 2010 when they were dispatched to an emergency call involving a 10-month-old infant in cardiac arrest. While en route to the scene, the team reviewed their protocols and planned their course of action in an effort to not waste a single precious second during the response.
Upon arrival at the scene, Firefighters Kruse and Perry were told by the family that baby Jesse had a known history of cardiac problems. He had been found unconscious and not breathing.
While it was a stressful situation, both Firefighters Kruse and Perry stayed calm and focused. They took over the scene and the cardio pulmonary resuscitation (CPR) from the grandfather who had been the initial responder. Their training and experience allowed them to quickly assess the baby’s condition.
Firefighter Kruse performed chest compressions on the little boy as Firefighter Perry took care of the airway. The smaller features of the baby made it more difficult, but soon they detected a pulse and breathing.
Baby Jesse was immediately transported to Providence St. Peter Hospital until stabililzed and then transferred to Children’s Hospital in Seattle. He is making slow, but significant steps towards his recovery.
Since the incident, Jesse’s family has taken proactive steps and made the commitment get trained in first aid and CPR. They want to be prepared in case of another emergency and help increase their chances for a positive outcome.
Baby Jesse was recently discharged from the hospital just in time to celebrate this first birthday at home with his family and friends. “
Photo Used by permission from Fitgerald's Photography.