11th Annual Sudden Cardiac Arrest SurvivorEvent in New Castle Co.

The 11th Annual New Castle County EMS Sudden Cardiac Arrest SurvivorReunion was held on May 17, 2023, at the Cab Calloway School of the Arts in Wilmington. This year’s reunion celebrated 34 cases of sudden cardiac arrest that occurred in 2022 where a patient was successfully resuscitated by first responders and walked out of the hospital without neurologic deficit. Atotal of 292 first respondercitations were awarded to fire departments, EMS agencies, police departments and civilians. Those recognized included 53 New Castle County Paramedics, 183 Fire and BLS personnel (from 19 different agencies), 8 Communications Personnel, 7 Police Officers, and 12 bystanders. This year’s event featured first-yearhonorees from Pennsylvania (Longwood and Avondale fire departments). APulsepoint app activation that led a bystander to respond and perform CPR, resulting in a sudden cardiac arrest save was also part of the program. Previous survivors also enlightened the audience by sharing personal experiences following theirsecond chance at life given to them by first responders. Arecord numberof survivors were in attendance to personally meet theirfirst responder heroes.

- Photos courtesy of Christopher Ginn Studios

- Submitted by Abigail Haas