County First Responders Honored For Saving Lives
 More than a dozen stories of first responders saving lives were shared to honor those 'unsung heroes' who did their jobs perfectly. |
Reed's son-in-law, James Ziter, a city firefighter, was first on the scene and immediately administered CPR and defibrillation that revived Reed until he could be taken by ambulance to Berkshire Medical Center.
On Friday, Reed got the chance to personally thank all the firefighters and medics who saved him by presenting a "Save" award at the annual Emergency Medical Services of Berkshire County Award Ceremony held at Itam Lodge.
"I wouldn't be here without them. It was really nice," Reed said of presenting the award. "It feels great that I am even here. It's really unbelievable."
About a dozen similar stories have not escaped the eyes of the Emergency Medical Services Corp. of Berkshire County. Every year the organization shines a spotlight on "unsung heroes" and tells those stories. Reed was invited to present the award.
The stories are submitted by department leaders; EMSCO has been hosting a recognition ceremony for 18 years for local police, fire and ambulance personnel.
"I'm not out to get thanks, I'm out to do my job," said Peter Durso of County Ambulance, who received a certificate for the Reed call. "It's good [to receive the award from Reed]. It makes it worthwhile."
Tracy Hall of North Adams Ambulance has saved many lives in her 10 years responding to emergencies — including three this year — but she did not receive notice for it anywhere else.
"I think it's great that we're recognized," Hall said. "Once in a while when it does work, it's nice to be recognized for it."
EMSCO President Brian Andrews said EMTs are only noticed when the event makes headlines, but their job is of vital importance.
"The work you do say in and day out matters," Andrews said.
The awards are not just for first responders, though. This year, taxi driver Russell "Rusty" Grandbois received recognition for his awareness when he noticed one of his passengers may have had a stroke and drove her directly to the hospital.
Grandbois picked up his regular rider Mary Cunagin from work this past March when he noticed she was having trouble. She told him her fingers were numb and when he asked if she wanted to stop for coffee as usual, she just grunted. Grandbois looked back and saw her face had drooped. He immediately turned the cab around and within minutes was at the hospital, where she was revived. He then drove to Cunagin's home and brought her daughter to the hospital to be with her mother.
"Rusty's rapid response to her stoke helped to save her life and set her on the road to recovery," EMSCO Awards Chairman Shawn Godfrey said. "Rusty regularly visits her in the hospital and brings her coffee, continuing their tradition."
Godfrey said Grandbois did not want to attend the ceremony because he did not feel like he had done anything special.
The ceremony was held at the end of EMS Week, a national effort to honor first responders.
Tags: award, EMT,
