Fairfield Heart Attack Survivor Meets First-Responders Who Saved His Life

FAIRFIELD, CT — Fairfield’s Jay Tolisano and his family paid a visit to the Bridgeport AMR station where they had the opportunity to personally thank the paramedics and EMTs who saved his life after he suffered a heart attack at his home in late May.

The family was joined by American Medical Response Paramedics Al Jelliffe and Matt Hlavna and EMTs Tchad Williams and Al McGrenery at the Bridgeport office.

Jay Tolisano, his wife Kerry and sons Emmet and Kyle, were treated to a tour of the Bridgeport AMR station and one of AMR’s ambulances during the visit and they were able to thank the Paramedics and EMTs who helped save his life in person.

Tolisano, 39, experienced a cardiac arrest at his home on May 31 after his morning workout. After sensing something was wrong, Kerry Tolisano checked on her husband and found him unresponsive. She immediately dialed 911 and began CPR with assistance from the dispatcher.

Upon the arrival of the Fairfield police and fire departments, CPR was taken over by the rescuers and advanced life support measures were started by the AMR crew — Jelliffe and Williams. With the arrival of a second AMR Paramedic crew, Hlavna and McGrenery, they were able to work together and save Jay’s life.

Prior to leaving the scene, and after defibrillating Tolisano and administering medications, his heart regained a normal rhythm, officials said in a press release.

Tolisano was admitted to St. Vincent’s Medical Center and was discharged less than a week later without any neurological deficits.

“All of us AMR’s Fairfield County office are thrilled to see Jay recovering so well,” William Schietinger, General Manager for AMR, said in a press release. “Because of Kerry’s quick thinking and early intervention by Fairfield first responders, Jay is able to enjoy watching his boys play baseball and enjoy their summer. Early recognition of a life-threatening emergency, quality CPR and defibrillation are all keys to surviving a cardiac arrest.”

Pictured: Jay Tolisano, wife Kerry, Jay's sister, Allison Totton, and sons Emmet and Kyle with AMR Paramedics Al Jelliffe and Matt Hlavna and EMTs Tchad Williams and Al McGrenery.

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