Wayland Fire Chief, Country Club Bystander Receive Regional Awards

The Wayland Fire Department and a quick-thinking Wayland Country Club employee were honored Nov. 1, when the Metropolitan Boston Emergency Medical Services Council (MBEMSC) recognized "the many contributions made on a daily basis by pre-hospital and hospital personnel involved in Emergency Medical Services," during its annual banquet.

In particular, Frank Leahy received the Citizen/Bystander of the Year Award, which is presented to "an individual who, not in their regular line of duty, performs life-saving, limb-saving or medical techniques in a medical emergency. They must have shown quick thinking, common sense and initiative to save a life or reduce injury," according to a press release.

The press release relates that Leahy was nominated for the award by Wayland Fire Capt. Bob Dorey, who submitted the following narrative, edited for the press release, with Leahy's nomination.

“On Tuesday afternoon, May 22, 2012, just before 4 p.m., the Wayland Fire Department responded to a 911 call for a golfer in cardiac arrest at the Wayland Country Club. Upon arrival I observed Mr. Francis Leahy performing chest compressions on the unresponsive patient in the middle of the third fairway. Fire department personnel relieved Mr. Leahy and began caring for the patient; continuing CPR and defibrillating the patient. PRO Ambulance intercepted with the Wayland Fire Department Ambulance on scene and began providing Advanced Life Support (ALS) care. The patient regained a pulse prior to transport to MetroWest Medical Center’s Framingham Campus. Mr. Leahy, an employee of the golf course, came to offer assistance. Mr. Leahy’s quick thinking and actions undoubtedly led to the patient’s survival and the successful outcome of this incident. On Aug. 23, 2012, I learned the patient survived this incident, has spoken with Mr. Leahy, and is playing golf again!”

Leahy accepted his award as members of the Wayland Fire Department; Wayland Selectman Doug Leard; and the man he saved, Ed Kelly looked on.

In addition to Leahy's award, Wayland Fire Chief Vinnie Smith received the  Regional Director’s Award, "which is presented to an individual, foundation or service organization that provides exceptional support to EMS activities in Region IV," the press release reads.

"I am humbled by the award," Smith said in the release., "and I accept it on behalf of all the firefighters in Wayland who all support EMS activities in Region IV on the front line every day, helping people directly."