Guilford Fire Officials, Fitness Members Recognized For Saving 2 Lives

GUILFORD, CT — Guilford firefighters and Planet Fitness members and employees were recognized Tuesday night for saving the lives of two people during separate incidents in recent months.

On Nov. 19, 2024, and Jan. 13, the Guilford Fire Department responded to a Planet Fitness gym in town on reports of people who were in cardiac arrest, the GFD said in a Facebook post.

"During both incidents cardiopulmonary resuscitation was immediately begun by Planet Fitness members and staff. Also during both incidents the use of an automated external defibrillator was used by Planet Fitness members and successfully converted both patients into a perfusing heart rhythm," the GFD said. "Once the Guilford Fire Department members arrived on scene immediate Advanced Life Support care was initiated. Both patients were transported to Yale New Haven Hospital for further treatment and care and were discharged to home a few days after their arrival at the hospital.

During an awards ceremony Tuesday, several firefighters and Planet Fitness members and staff were honored for their lifesaving efforts.

Peter Muszynski, who was saved during the Jan. 13 incident, was in attendance to meet those who were involved in his care. The other person from the November incident was out of the country and unable to attend, the GFD said.

Those in attendance from the GFD and Planet Fitness were Firefighter Paramedics Sean Marren and Steve Lapaglia; Firefighter EMT Tom Hart; Capt. Jeff Young; Planet Fitness staff member Teri Lipford; Planet Fitness member Graig Sanders; Fire Commissioners Fred Trotta and Amy Sullivan; and Fire Commission Chairman Ken Wilson.

Planet Fitness members who also assisted in the care of Muszynski who were unable to attend the ceremony were Carter Welch and John Iacobellis, the GFD said.

Firefighter EMTs Rob Piascyk and Mike Terrio, who were also involved in patient care, were unable to attend.

Photos of the ceremony can be viewed here.