First Responders Save Woman In Cardiac Arrest In Phoenixville

PHOENIXVILLE, PA — A woman suffering from cardiac arrest was saved by first responders in Phoenixville recently.

The incident occurred on May 7 when first responders with West End Fire Co. # 3 of Phoenixville were called to a local home, where a woman had fallen unconscious without a pulse.

Lt. Zac Hartmann immediately began CPR on the victim, Beverly Park, as the team connected a heart monitor.

After about two minutes of CPR and a shocking, Park began to have a pulse again. A few minutes after that she was making noise and opening her eyes. By the time Hartmann, along with Capt. John Osborne and the rest of the crew, were ready to load her onto the ambulance, she was able to have a conversation.

At the hospital, Park had a defibrillator implanted, recovered, and was discharged on May 11.

Park was extremely grateful to the responders who saved her life, and showed up at the station to thank them in the person.

According to Rafael Henin, fire chief of the Valley Forge Fire Co., only about ten percent of cardiac arrest victims survive, putting Park in a "very elite group."

The Valley Forge Fire Co. will hold a hands only CPR training course on Thursday, June 28 at 5 p.m. and 6 p.m. for any member of the community who wishes to attend. The course is free. Park herself will be in attendance.

The Fire Co. is located at 630 Valley Park Road.

Image via Valley Forge Volunteer Fire Co. From left to right:Lt. Zac Hartmann, Mr. Del Park, Mrs. Beverly Park and Capt. John Osborne.