Greenwich Police Officer, GEMS Crew Perform Life-Saving Actions

GREENWICH, CT — For the second time in two months, Greenwich police officer Ryan Carino aided in life-saving efforts during a recent medical call in town.

According to Lt. Mark Zuccerella, Carino is part of the town's emergency medical response chain, in which officers work cooperatively with Greenwich Emergency Medical Services during medical calls. (To sign up for Greenwich breaking news alerts and more, click here.)

While responding to a recent call, Carino encountered a man who was initially alert and sitting with his wife but fell unconscious, Zuccerella said.

"Officer Carino used his medical training [and] his police experience," Zuccerella said in an email, "and took decisive action and began CPR."

As Carino administered CPR, two GEMS ambulance crews arrived and provided advanced life support for the man, Zuccerella said.

"After receiving a shock from [a defibrillator], the patient regained consciousness and was transported to the Greenwich Hospital emergency room," Zuccerella said. "The officer's early intervention and the efforts of the GEMS personnel came together to ensure the best possible outcome for the patient."

According to Zuccerella, this was the man's second resuscitation after a cardiac event in the past year. The lieutenant also said the man "continues to do well" and even dropped by the town's Public Safety Complex in person, along with his wife, to thank everyone involved in his successful recovery.

Zuccerella noted the town's emergency responders are "always hyper-focused on providing care" for patients and taking action in the moment.

GEMS responders included paramedic Greg Saracino and EMT Samantha Zezima. Also on the call were paramedic Walter Hughes and his EMT daughter, Kristina Hughes.

According to Zuccerella, Walter Hughes has taken part in "innumerable medical calls" throughout his long career with GEMS, however this was the first time he and his daughter had ever collaborated on a resuscitation.

The department also posted the story of the group's lifesaving efforts on its Facebook page Sunday night.

"We at the Greenwich police department are at the service to all residents and visitors to the town of Greenwich," the post reads. "We understand we need to keep improving on the way we provide service and endeavor to do so. We will forever strive to achieve our mission of providing superior services to the Greenwich community."