Survivor Day Stories

The stories of 26 survivors and those who helped save them were shared during the Essex-Windsor EMS and Southwest Ontario Regional Base Hospital Program 12th Annual Survivor Day. The event, held May 23, 2025, celebrated survivors of trauma and out-of-hospital cardiac arrest in 2024.

Essex-Windsor EMS paramedics provided life-saving resuscitative interventions to 373 patients in 2024. The 26 cases celebrated at Survivor Day highlight how the quick, informed actions of those on the scene and the medical skills of paramedics can save lives.

During the ceremony, the survivors who attended were presented with rolled up and bottled printouts of their heart rhythms taken by paramedics. Those involved in saving them were presented with Essex-Windsor EMS “save” pins.

Below are the cases in chronological order.

January 4, 2024

Paramedics: Laura Gosselin, Michelle Benjak, Jenna Diamante, Matthew Moore and Dave Bart

The patient who was found unresponsive on the floor by roommates. The patient had a complex medical history and had recently been declining in health, resulting in significant weight loss. Paramedic Dave Bart, of the Community Assessment Triage Team, arrived on the scene first and determined the patient to be without vital signs, so CPR was initiated with the help of a roommate.

Shortly after, the other paramedics arrived to assist with life-saving measures. An airway and IV were established and secured, and the patient’s heart was shocked once before the return of a pulse was noted. Vital signs and a 12-lead EKG were obtained, medications – including dopamine and calcium gluconate – were administered and the patient was transported to hospital for further care.

January 18, 2024

Paramedics: Kristen Lo Mascolo and April Roberts

Ambulance communications officer: Sara Cinurak-Branch

Windsor firefighters: Sean Costello, Greg Sesto, Aaron Campeau and Bradley Mihalik

The patient was found without vital signs by a family member who called 911. Ambulance communications officer Sara Cinurak-Branch walked the caller through how to determine if a pulse was present and provided CPR instructions.

The paramedics and Windsor firefighters initiated life-saving measures, including CPR, when they arrived. The paramedics secured the patient’s airway, started an IV and provided medications, such as epinephrine. After several minutes, they noted a pulse and other vital signs.

While they prepared to move the patient to an ambulance, firefighters shovelled snow to clear a safe path. The paramedics continued to monitor the patient and, while en route to the hospital, the paramedics noted the patient’s pulse was again gone. CPR was again started and medications were administered as per protocol until arrival at the hospital.

January 28, 2024

Paramedics: Michael Filiault, James Neumiller, Wendy Willis, Marina Lawrie and Dalton Kingston

Kingsville firefighter: Brad Roughton

Others: friend and a bystander

The patient was a passenger in a vehicle travelling on a road in Kingsville when they became unconscious. The driver pulled over and called 911. The driver and another bystander got the patient out of the vehicle and started CPR.

Paramedic Dalton Kingston took over CPR when he arrived. He also attached the defibrillator to analyze the patient’s heart rhythm. Primary care paramedics Wendy Willis and Marina Lawrie, and Kingsville firefighter Brad Roughton arrived shortly after and applied a LUCAS device, a machine that automatically applies chest compressions.

An airway was inserted, ventilations were continued and the patient’s heart was shocked twice prior to the arrival of paramedics Michael Filiault and James Neumiller, who began advanced care procedures. The patient was still in cardiac arrest and resuscitation efforts were continued. An external jugular IV was established, a bolus was started, life-saving medication was administered and the heart was analyzed twice more before a pulse was noted.

Vital signs were obtained, the airway was suctioned clear, an advanced airway was inserted to ensure good perfusion, a 12-lead EKG was obtained and the patient was transported to the hospital for further care.

January 29, 2024 – Linda McCort

Survivor: Linda McCort

Paramedics: Keith Affleck, Inkaran Ramesh and Wayne Russelo

Linda McCort was working at a local Royal Canadian Legion branch preparing a meal for a funeral wake when she started to feel unwell. She sat down and then went outside to see if fresh air would help. When she back inside, she began to sweat and feel nauseous. Then she had “off-the-chart pain” in her shoulder and elbows.

Linda had always been healthy, so this was extremely unusual. Her friend and co-worker recognized the signs and symptoms, and immediately called 911. She gave a Linda baby Aspirin while they waited.

Paramedics Wayne Russelo and Keith Affleck assessed Linda as soon as they arrived. She was given more Aspirin and a 12-lead interpretation was obtained, which showed she was having a myocardial infarction. This was sent to a cardiologist to review and the paramedics began transporting Linda to a hospital.

Linda started to complain of dizziness and nausea, her heart rhythm changed to ventricular fibrillation, she became unresponsive and her vital signs were absent. The paramedics pulled over and immediately defibrillated her heart. Linda regained consciousness, and the paramedics noted a perfusing heart rhythm.

They obtained a full set of vital signs and applied high-concentration oxygen therapy. After less than a minute, Linda’s heart went back into an irregular rhythm and no pulse was found. A second analysis was done, her heart was shocked and CPR was initiated for a short time before she regained consciousness with a sinus rhythm.

This series of events repeated before she was conscious and stable enough to resume transport to the hospital. The paramedics were able to rendezvous with advanced care paramedic Inkaran Ramesh, who hopped in the truck just as Linda became unconscious without a pulse for the fourth time. A shock to the heart was delivered, her circulation returned and she gained consciousness until the ambulance arrived at the hospital.

Linda said her family and friends didn’t believe her when she sent them a text message saying she was in the hospital after suffering a cardia arrest. A cardiologist told her that her aorta had been completely blocked by a piece of plaque and she was lucky to be alive. A stent was inserted to open the blockage.

After nine months of recovery, Linda is doing well and back to normal. She has experienced no complications and is grateful every day she wakes up, she said. She is thankful for her friend’s quick actions and for the response of the paramedic who treated her.

February 8, 2024 – Jack Luck

Survivor: Jack Luck

Paramedics: Ljubisa Apostolovski and Dawn Hodges

Jack Luck was a strapping 18-year-old with a new job as a bank customer service representative and a passion for kickboxing when he suddenly went into cardiac arrest while at home talking to his dad one evening.

The nearly fatal attack came out of the blue. Jack hadn’t been feeling well February 8, 2024, but he was otherwise healthy. He was standing in the kitchen chatting with his dad in the next room when he suddenly passed out.

Darren Luck rushed to his son, who revived. Darren gave him an ice pack and towel to absorb the blood coming from the back of his head. He got Jack to a couch. They checked his blood pressure and blood glucose level. They were fine and Jack was insisting he was OK. Not long afterwards, his breathing became laboured. He grabbed his chest and passed out again. This time his eyes rolled to the back of his head and he stopped breathing. He had no pulse.

Essex-Windsor EMS paramedics Dawn Hodges and Ljubisa Apostolovski were at the house within minutes of the family calling 911. They were able to resuscitate Jack and restore his pulse after taking numerous measures. Then they rushed him to hospital, where his condition was stabilized and his recovery began.

Jack was in the intensive care unit for 10 days and then continued to recover at Windsor Regional Hospital for the rest of the month. In his last week, he was transferred to the London Health Sciences Centre to have an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator put in his chest. He has since had a second one put in and takes medications that are still being fine-tuned. The family was told Jack’s attack was caused by myocarditis, an inflammation of the heart muscle. Why Jack developed myocarditis is still a mystery, Darren said.

In November 2024, Essex-Windsor EMS paramedic Dave Thibodeau showed Jack and his family how to use an automated external defibrillator (AED) and CPR when someone goes into cardiac arrest. The AMA Sportsmen Association in Amherstburg gave Jack an AED and the family has become advocates of AED awareness.

March 28, 2024

Paramedics: Nisreen Perreault, Iuliana Tibrianu and Abdulahi Hussein (a student paramedic at the time)

LaSalle firefighters: Brian Bartlett, Matt Berger, Greg Legood, Wyatt Preney, Brad Thoman and Mike Wiley

The patient was attended to in LaSalle and said she is thankful to the paramedics and firefighters who helped her during her medical emergency.

April 11, 2024

Paramedics: Cathie Driedger, Mason Whitaker, Geoffrey Mackenzie and Sean Hettrick

Ambulance communications officer: Katherine Lessard

Other: family member

The patient had fallen a few days prior and again the night 911 was called. The family member who called said the patient had no vital signs. Ambulance communications officer Katherine Lessard told the family member and neighbour at the scene how to do chest compressions.

The family member administered chest compressions until paramedics Geoffrey Mackenzie and Sean Hettrick arrived. They quickly analyzed the patient’s heart, inserted an airway, assisted ventilations and oxygenation, and applied an automated chest compression device.

Advanced care paramedics Cathie Driedger and Mason Whitaker then arrived. They were able to secure an advanced airway, establish an intraosseous line and administer life-saving medication. The patient’s heart rhythm was continuously monitored for changes and CPR was continued until arrival at the hospital.

April 15, 2024

Paramedics: Angela Volpatti, Dan Suvajdzin, Carley Yeboah, Ray Serifi and Jean Pierre Bacon

Ambulance communications officer: Lisa Shultz

Essex firefighters: Kevin Sinn, Michael Rounding, Gary Armstrong and Rick Bonneau

Other: patient’s son

The patient who collapsed while at work in Essex. Ambulance communications officer Lisa Shultz provided the 911 caller with instructions on how to perform chest compressions. When Essex firefighters Kevin Sinn, Michael Rounding, Gary Armstrong and Rick Bonneau arrived they inserted an oral airway and continued with CPR.

Primary care paramedics Dan Suvajdzin and Carley Yeboah were next to arrive. They continued the cardiac arrest protocol, performing compressions, providing ventilations, inserting an IV and performing rhythm analysis. The patient was in refractory ventricular fibrillation and was shocked five times before return of spontaneous circulation.

Paramedics Angela Volpatti, Ray Serifi and Jean Pierre Bacon then arrived. They received an update from the other paramedics and completed an assessment. The patient was initially combative, but rapidly declined and had no vital signs. CPR was initiated and the heart was shocked once before the patient’s pulse returned. A second IV was inserted, a bolus started, medications administered, vital signs obtained and a 12-lead EKG completed. The EKG showed a heart and ST elevation myocardial infarction with runs of ventricular tachycardia. Due to this rhythm, the patient was cardioverted to restore a normal heart rhythm.

The patient was then transported to a hospital while the crew continuously monitored the heart, vital signs and IV fluid.

April 16, 2024

Paramedics: Mike Gobet, Christina Boyce, Brittany Ferriss and Sean Hettrick

Ambulance communications officer: Kaitlyn Huiting

Windsor firefighters: Jacky Szeto, Nicholas Stroesser, Ken Linwood and Rosario Colomba

Other: family member

Ambulance communications officer Kaitlyn Huiting received about a patient who suddenly became unresponsive while with family. She directed a family member to feel for a pulse. When they couldn’t feel one, she told them on how to administer chest compressions.

Windsor firefighters Jacky Szeto, Nicholas Stroesser, Ken Linwood and Rosario Colomba then arrived and applied a defibrillator, analyzed the heart, continued chest compressions, inserted an oral airway and provided ventilations.

Paramedics Christina Boyce and Brittany Ferriss arrived next and applied an automated CPR device, analyzed the heart and inserted an IV. After receiving an update, advanced care paramedic team members Mike Gobet and Sean Hettrick administered life-saving medications, started a fluid bolus and, after two additional heart analyses, noted a pulse. The patient’s airway was suctioned, vital signs obtained, an advanced airway inserted and a 12-lead EKG completed. A cardiologist was consulted about what appeared to be a ST elevation myocardial infarction. The patient continued to be monitored while being transported to a hospital.

April 24, 2024

Paramedics: Matthew Oades and Adam Droski

Windsor firefighters: James Sova, Greg Sesto, Brent Mahon, David Reisch and Chris Horvath

The patient had sudden chest pain and shortness of breath. The family called 911 and met paramedics outside to advise that the patient had been conscious and alert until just prior to the ambulance arriving but was then unresponsive.

The paramedics quickly determined the patient had no pulse, so they extricated the patient from a small space to better assess and treat them. The paramedics started CPR, suctioned the patient’s airway suctioned, inserted an oral airway and provided ventilations. Then an IV was inserted to administer epinephrine, the heart was continuously analyzed for a change in rhythm and an advanced airway was inserted.

After several rounds of medication, the paramedics noticed a return of spontaneous circulation and a pulse. With the assistance of Windsor firefighters, the patient was moved from the home in the ambulance. During the transport, the patient’s vital signs were no longer detectable. CPR was started and medication administration until a pulse was noted as the paramedics arrived at the hospital.

April 28, 2024

Paramedics: Jamieson Gemmell and Iuliana Tibrianu

Ambulance communications officer: Christine Morrill

Windsor firefighters: Mark Costello, Jason Hart, Tim Boughner and Mason MacDonald

Others: friend, club staff

The patient collapsed in a Windsor community centre and 911 was called. Ambulance communication officer Christine Morrill instructed the caller to move the patient to the floor. She told them on how to use the automated external defibrillator (AED) at the centre and perform CPR. After being shocked once with the AED, the patient began breathing on their own again.

Paramedics Jamieson Gemmell and Iuliana Tibrianu arrived shortly afterwards and found the patient in an altered level of awareness, pale and diaphoretic. They took a complete set of vital signs, obtained a 12-lead EKG, inserted an IV catheter and moved the patient to an ambulance with assistance from Windsor firefighters Mark Costello, Jason Hart, Tim Boughner and Mason MacDonald.

The patient’s heart rhythm was monitored, vital signs captured, oxygen therapy administered and Aspirin provided en route to the emergency room, where hospital staff took over care.

May 8, 2024

Paramedics: Jonathan Silcox, Josh Pellerito and Keyona Atkins

The patient was found in a car and had no vital signs. The paramedics quickly removed the patient from the vehicle and began CPR. An advanced airway was inserted while they applied the defibrillation pads to analyze the heart rhythm. They determined a shock was necessary as the heart was in a ventricular fibrillation rhythm. Once the shock was delivered, the airway was suctioned and CPR continued. A pulse check detected a carotid pulse, but it quickly disappeared.

CPR was again initiated and a second shock was delivered, which resulted in a strong palpable carotid pulse. An IV was inserted and a fluid bolus started, vital signs were obtained, a 12-lead EKG was completed and the patient was transported to a hospital.

May 11, 2024

Paramedic: Mason Whitaker

Windsor firefighters: Michael Stroud, Chris Scapinello, Calvin McIlwain and Darryl Hazzard

Hub 4 staff: Noah Bushnell, Livanessa Jaquez, Bilal Nasser, Jessi Evbuomwan and Shari-Jade Ashman

Staff at the Homelessness and Housing Help Hub (H4) in Windsor called 911 after the patient suddenly became unresponsive and stopped breathing. Staff members Noah Bushnell, Livanessa Jaquez, Bilal Nasser, Jessi Evbuomwan and Shari-Jade Ashman administered naloxone and started CPR, including ventilations. They administered two additional doses of naloxone prior to paramedics arriving.

Paramedic Mason Whitaker and her partner confirmed the patient had no palpable pulse and took over care with assistance from Windsor firefighters Michael Stroud, Chris Scapinello, Calvin McIlwain and Darryl Hazzard. CPR was continued, the heart was analyzed, an airway was inserted and an IV was established. A second analysis of the heart showed a pulse and the patient began to move. Vital signs were obtained and the patient was transported to a hospital.

May 21, 2024 – Tammy Brown

Survivor: Tammy Brown

Paramedics: Jenna Diamante, Tyler Ceballo, Ayden Drago and Adam Kidd

Ambulance communications officer: Michelle Wielink

Windsor firefighters: Robert Bouffard, Monique Carriere, Rosario Colomba, Ken Linwood and Nicholas Stroesser

Other: Brandon Brown (son)

All Tammy Brown remembers about the night she suffered a cardiac arrest is she got out of bed and went into the bathroom around 2:30 a.m. Her husband Bryan heard a thud and went to check on her. He found her face down on the bathroom floor and blood coming from her head where she had hit it when she fell. The Browns live in the basement of a house they share with their son Brandon and his family. Bryan rushed upstairs to get Brandon.

Without stopping to find his glasses, Brandon ran downstairs and had his wife call 911. He rolled his mom over and started CPR. He credits ambulance communications officer Michelle Wielink with helping him stay calm and focused until Windsor firefighters arrived and took over doing CPR. Paramedics Jenna Diamante and Ayden Drago arrived next. They used a device that automatically does CPR and took other measures to get Tammy’s pulse back. Advanced care paramedic Tyler Ceballo and partner Adam Kidd helped get Tammy into an ambulance and Ceballo monitored her condition on the way to the hospital.

Tammy was in the hospital for month and now has an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator in her chest. She is continuing to recover and is grateful to be able to keep enjoying her family.

“It feels pretty unreal just to be in that moment or just think about it in general,” Brandon said. “It could happen to anybody, but it happened to my mom. And I'm just so glad that they live with me and I was able to help and do what I could to help her.”

May 26, 2024 – Jeffrey Anger

Survivor: Jeffrey Anger

Paramedics: Inkaran Ramesh, Isaac Hamilton, Shelly Nguyen, Nick Chiarappa and Adrien Bezaire

Firefighters: Anthony Dib, Dylan Little, Natalie Seal, Robert Bailey, Lazaros Sofikitis, Mason MacDonald, Zach Livingston, Stephen Peters and Jason Laughland

Windsor firefighters responded to a call about a residential garage that was fully engulfed in flames. When they surveyed the scene, they found an unresponsive Jeffrey Anger on the back porch of the house. Firefighters Lazaros Sofikitis, Mason MacDonald, Zach Livingston, Stephen Peters and Jason Laughland moved Jeffrey to the lawn. They noted he initially had a pulse but quickly lost it and had no vital signs.

Firefighters Anthony Dib, Dylan Little, Natalie Seal and Robert Bailey performed CPR until paramedics Shelly Nguyen, Isaac Hamilton and Adrien Bezaire arrived. The paramedics inserted an advanced airway and analyzed Jeffrey’s heart rhythm while continuing CPR with an automated device. While Jeffrey was being moved into and ambulance and prepared for transport, advanced care paramedic team members Inkaran Ramesh and Nick Chiarappa arrived. Jeffrey’s airway was suctioned and an intraosseous and IV catheter inserted. During a subsequent rhythm analysis, a pulse was found. Paramedics were then able to obtain a set of vitals and administer hydroxocobalamin as Jeffrey was being transported to a hospital.

Jeffrey can recall little about that night. The last thing he remembers is hanging out with his friends and having a good night before waking up in the hospital eight days later with all sorts of monitors and tubes attached to him. He was told he died due to smoke inhalation and carbon dioxide poisoning and that he had a three per cent chance of survival. Jeffrey was able to walk out of the hospital four months later.

He is grateful and happy, and feels lucky for every day that he has lived since, he said. He is thriving and busy running two successful businesses. He loves what he does and tries to be a person who helps others, he said. Whenever he sees a paramedic or a firefighter in public, he tries to reach out to them with his story and thinks of them as heroes.

May 28, 2024

Paramedics: Kailyn Renaud. Cathie Driedger. Nathan MacMillan and Aaron Thomson

Ambulance communications officer: Charmaine Vandenbrink

Windsor firefighters: Michael Stoughton, Kyle Beaulieu, Curtis Muxlow and Shawn Fryer

The patient was at work in Windsor when they became unconscious and fell to the floor. Co-workers called 911 and ambulance communications officer Charmaine Vandenbrink instructed them on how to do chest compressions. When Windsor firefighters Michael Stoughton, Kyle Beaulieu, Curtis Muxlow and Shawn Fryer arrived, they found the patient with agonal breathing. They inserted an oral airway and assisted ventilations.

Paramedics arrived shortly afterwards when the patient no longer had vital signs. They analyzed the patient’s heart and shocked it. CPR was continued and, within a few moments, a pulse was found.

The patient’s airway was suctioned, an advanced airway was inserted and an intraosseous catheter was secured. During reassessment, the patient was noted to have no vital signs, so the heart was analyzed and shocked again. Life-saving medications were administered and the heart was shocked two more times before double sequential defibrillation occurred, which resulted in a return of spontaneous circulation.

A complete set of vital signs was obtained, the airway was suctioned and the patient was transported to a hospital.

June 9, 2024 – Greg Kempe

Survivor: Greg Kempe

Paramedics: Kailyn Renaud, Amy Lutsch, Kaitlin Dufresne and Meaghan Vieira

Tecumseh firefighters: Christopher Nugent, Patrick Lo Mascolo, Seth Chauvin, Ryan MacEachern, Robert Kolodziejski and David Lessard (Captain)

Other: Ethan Muxlow

Greg Kempe was feeling good before he went outside to do some gardening. Shortly afterwards, his neighbour, Ethan Muxlow, noticed him collapsed in the yard and ran over to check on him. Greg had no pulse and Ethan started CPR.

Paramedics Kailyn Renaud and Kaitlin Dufresne then arrived and applied a defibrillator and shocked Greg’s heart. They inserted an advanced airway and used an automated device to continue CPR. They shocked Greg’s heart three more times before Tecumseh firefighters Christopher Nugent, Patrick Lo Mascolo, Seth Chauvin, Ryan MacEachern, Robert Kolodziejski and David Lessard arrived to help with ventilations and moving Greg to an ambulance to be transported to hospital. Just prior to departing, Greg’s pulse returned.

While en route to the hospital, the crew was able to rendezvous with the advanced care paramedic team members Amy Lutsch and Meaghan Vieira, who jumped into the ambulance to provide additional care. Greg’s pulse was lost shortly afterwards. CPR resumed and his heart was shocked. An intraosseous catheter was inserted and medication was administered. It was quickly determined that dual sequential defibrillation was necessary due to Greg’s heart rhythm. After several more shocks, Greg began to breathe on his own and signs of life were noted. He was continuously monitored arriving at the hospital.

Greg does not remember that day at all. He somewhat remembers waking up in the hospital several days later. He was able to return home within four months and is back at work. He is recovering well physically. He said he knows what a big deal the day of his cardiac arrest was for everyone involved, especially his family.

He said would like to share his positive outcome with the paramedics involved, as he knows this does not often happen.

June 28, 2024

Paramedics: Daniel Reaume, Ahmed Sawar-Salim, Dave Bart, Steven Jacobs and Erick Potvin

Ambulance communications officer: Lisa Schultz

Other: family member

The patient had a seizure, and then stopped breathing and had no pulse. Ambulance communications officer Lisa Schultz instructed the family member who called 911 on how to do chest compressions.

When the five paramedics arrived, they confirmed that the patient's vital signs were absent. Then they quickly moved the patient to a suitable area to provide further care, as space was limited. CPR was initiated, a supraglottic airway was inserted, automatic chest compressions were continued using the LUCAS automated device and an IV was established.

After analyzing the patient’s heart a second time, the paramedics noted a pulse and a return of circulation. A complete set of vital signs was obtained, including a 12-lead EKG. The patient was continuously monitored en route to the hospital.

August 9, 2024

Paramedics: Dan Suvajdzin, Ray Serifi, Nicole Chauvin and Laura Gosselin

Ambulance communications officer: Christine Morrill

Lakeshore firefighters: Vincent Desfosses, Jason Suchiu, Mike Sisic and Andre Marentette

Other: family member

The patient was found unconscious by a family member who called 911. Ambulance communications officer Christine Morrill had the family member check for a pulse and, when none was detected, told them how to do chest compressions.

Paramedics Dan Suvajdzin and Laura Gosselin arrived at the same time as Lakeshore firefighters Vincent Desfosses, Jason Suchiu, Mike Sisic and Andre Marentette, who moved the patient to a place where the paramedics had space to do their work. The paramedics noted the patient initially had a weak pulse that did not last, so they began CPR with the help of the firefighters. They inserted an oral airway, assisted ventilations and analyzed the patient’s heart, which required a shock that resulted in a return of circulation and a pulse.

A set of vital signs was obtained, an IV was inserted and a report was provided to the advanced care paramedic team when they arrived. A 12-lead EKG was obtained, suctioning of the airway was done and an advanced airway was secured.

The patient was transported while vital signs were continuously monitored. A fluid bolus was initiated and another 12-lead EKG obtained, which showed an ST elevation myocardial infarction. The hospital was updated, and upon arrival, a report was provided to the receiving staff.

August 17, 2024 – Renato Cherubin

Survivor: Renato Cherubin

Paramedics: Meaghan Vieira, Amy Lutsch and Mechelle Murphy

Windsor firefighters: Jason Hull, Adam Desjardins, Jarred Hutch and Brett MacNeil

Casino staff: Paul Godfree, Allan Puskaric, Essilena McAfee, Sara Steptoe, Mohamad Mustapha and Steve Argent

Renato Cherubin woke up with pain between his shoulder blades that he attributed to a night of poor sleep. He took some pain medication, and his wife Lisa rubbed his back. He felt better, so he decided to go to the Caesars Windsor casino for a few hours. When he did not return home as expected, Lisa became concerned. Shortly afterwards, she got a call from the hospital saying that Renato was there.

When Renato collapsed in the casino, staff members Paul Godfree, Allan Puskaric, Essilena McAfee, Sara Steptoe, Mohamad Mustapha and Steve Argent responded. They confirmed he had no pulse and initiated CPR. They used their automated external defibrillator (AED) to analyze and shock Renato’s heart three times. Windsor firefighters Jason Hull, Adam Desjardins, Jarred Hutch and Brett MacNeil then arrived and inserted an oral airway and assisted with ventilations.

Paramedics Meaghan Vieira, Amy Lutsch and Mechelle Murphy arrived to find Renato to be in refractory ventricular fibrillation, which required dual sequential defibrillation. They inserted an advanced airway, administered epinephrine via an intraosseous catheter and transported Renato to a hospital. Renato’s heart was shocked 13 times en route.

Renato does not remember anything about that day and some of the time leading up to it. Lisa was told three days later that he had a heart attack. After three weeks in the hospital, he was discharged. Renato had multiple broken ribs from the CPR and has since made a slow, steady recovery. He is still doing therapy, but is pleased to report that he is doing well.

He was extremely lucky the day of his heart attack, Lisa said, and she feels he had angels looking out for him. She believes that had he not been at the casino, where the staff responded immediately, he may not have made it. Renato received wonderful care every step of the way and the hospital staff was outstanding, she said, and they are grateful to everyone involved.

August 28, 2024

Paramedics: Michael Filiault and James Neumiller

The patient had substernal chest pain, radiating to the back, neck, jaw, and bilaterally down both arms. Paramedics Michael Filiault and James Neumiller did an assessment, obtained a set of vital signs and applied a cardiac monitor. Then the patient began to complain of dizziness and became unresponsive. The paramedics started CPR after finding no pulse. They analyzed the patient’s heart, shocked it once and did CPR for a minute before the patient showed signs of life and began to talk.

The paramedics obtained a complete set of vital signs, an IV was inserted, a 12-lead EKG was completed and a cardiologist was consulted. The patient was transported to the hospital, where they were taken to the catheterization lab for further care.

September 15, 2024

Paramedics: Dalton Kingston and Anthony Baltes

Ambulance communications officer: Kristi Drake

Windsor firefighters: Robert Bailey, Michael Bryer, Kyle Beaulieu and James Moore

Other: bystander

The patient was enjoying an evening with friends when they suddenly collapsed. The patient was initially breathing, but then stopped and had no pulse. When 911 was called, ambulance communications officer Kristi Drake told the caller how to do chest compressions.

Windsor firefighters then arrived and confirmed the patient was pulseless and not breathing, so they continued with CPR. They were followed by the paramedics, who inserted an oral airway using a modified jaw thrust and ventilated the patient using a bag valve mask.

As the defibrillator pads were applied, the patient began to sporadically open their eyes and a faint pulse was noted. The paramedics were able to obtain a full set of vital signs and then move with patient out of the house with the help of the firefighters.

Ventilations using the bag valve mask were continued throughout the transport to the hospital. Upon arriving at the hospital, the patient began to move their arms and eyes.

September 21, 2024

Paramedics: Kristen Lo Mascolo, April Roberts and Sarah Bezaire

Canada Border Service Agency officers: Jody Delaney, Matthew Martinho, Payton Naklie, Salvador Fregapan, Superintendent Jason Cornwall and A/Superintendent Nicholas Dowhayko

Windsor firefighters: Mark Mailloux, Bryan Walmsley, Matthew Kirkwood and Luke Huberty

The patient was crossing the border when they became unresponsive while in their vehicle. Canada Border Service Agency officers noticed the vehicle had slowed, so they went to see what was happening and found the patient to be unresponsive. The officers had brought an automatic external defibrillator (AED) with them, so once they confirmed that the patient did not have a pulse and was without vital signs, they began CPR and analyzed the heart rhythm, which required a shock.

Windsor firefighters arrived to assist with CPR. They also inserted an oral airway, assisted with ventilations and shocked the patient’s heart once. The paramedics then arrived and, after being updated, shocked the patient’s heart four more times before a return of spontaneous circulation was noted.

An intraosseous was inserted, vital signs obtained and a 12-lead was taken, which revealed an ST elevation myocardial infarction. The patient was loaded into the ambulance and transported to a hospital while their airway was suctioned and vital signs monitored.

October 11, 2024

Paramedics: Brandon Bellehumeur, Rose Pizzuti and Eric Glos (then a student paramedic)

Ambulance communications officer: Olivia Misic

Kingsville firefighters: Matthew Stewart and Dan Caille

Other: bystander

The patient found outside with no vital signs by a bystander who called 911. Ambulance communications officer Olivia Misic gave instructions on how to do chest compressions until paramedics arrived.

Paramedics Brandon Bellehumeur and Rose Pizzuti arrived with student paramedic Eric Glos and took over doing chest compressions. They shocked the patient’s heart after determining it was in ventricular fibrillation. An oral airway was inserted and, with help from Kingsville firefighters, ventilations were assisted. The paramedics had to shock the patient’s heart two more times before a pulse was detected and spontaneous respirations were noted.

Vital signs were obtained, an IV was established, a 12-lead EKG was completed and a cardiologist was consulted for additional support. The patient was then transported to a hospital.

October 15, 2024 – Thomas Warner

Survivor: Thomas Warner

Paramedics: Carley Yeboah and Nicole Chauvin

Thomas Warner woke up that morning with sharp chest pain. He described the pain in his mid-sternum as “16 out of 10” to paramedics Carley Yeboah and Nicole Chauvin. The pain radiated from there to between his shoulder blades, down his left arm and down the front top half of his abdomen. He told the paramedics he did home peritoneal dialysis every night, and these symptoms were not usual for him. Thomas had recently been taken off a blood thinner as he was to have surgery, and he had seen a cardiologist recently and had been told everything was good.

After the paramedics completed their assessment, they obtained a 12-lead EKG and noted that Thomas was having a heart attack. After consulting a cardiologist, they began transporting Thomas to the Windsor Regional Hospital’s Ouellette campus catheterization lab. Just before they arrived at the hospital, Thomas’s vital signs disappeared.

The paramedics determined his heart was in a ventricular rhythm and shocked it. Then they started CPR as they arrived at the hospital. A second analysis showed Thomas had a pulse and care was transferred to the hospital staff.

As a result, Thomas and his wife Roseanne were able to celebrate 50 years of being together and 49 years of marriage in March with their family. Thomas said he is looking forward to gardening, which is his passion, and spending time with his five grandchildren.

“Every day we just keep going,” Roseann said.

A baseball aficionado for the last 50 years, during which he was a member of the Windsor-Essex Umpire Association for many years, Thomas is happy to continue rooting for the Detroit Tigers. He is also a longtime Toronto Maple Leafs fan.

December 6, 2024

Paramedics: John Rinaldi-Ross, Isaac Hamilton, Natalie Ennis and Matthew Gosselin

Ambulance communications officer: Kaitlyn Huiting

Windsor firefighters: Robert Bailey, Jason Blanchard, Peter Christian and Stefan Ylinen

Other: bystander

The patient who collapsed at work and co-workers called 911. Ambulance communication officer Kaitlyn Huiting told them how to do CPR while using a pocket mask to assist the patient with ventilation.

When paramedics Natalie Ennis and Isaac Hamilton arrived, they applied a defibrillator and shocked the patient’s heart before continuing with CPR. They were able to insert an advanced airway, apply the automated CPR machine, and assist ventilations with oxygen and the bag valve mask. The advanced care paramedic team of John Rinaldi-Ross and Matthew Gosselin were updated when they arrived.

The patient’s heart rhythm was continuously monitored while the paramedics inserted an intraosseous catheter and administered life-saving medication until signs of perfusion and life were noted. When a pulse was found, vital signs were obtained, a 12-lead EKG completed and the hospital was alerted. Windsor firefighters Robert Bailey, Jason Blanchard, Peter Christian and Stefan Ylinen assisted in moving the patient to an ambulance. The patient was then taken to the hospital.