Narberth Ambulance recognize collaborative effort that saved 11

Photo Narberth Ambulance - Staff members at Bala Cynwyd Middle School who helped save Steven.

Photo Narberth Ambulance - Steven G. with Narberth Chief of Operations, Chris Flanagan.

Richard Ilgenfritz - MediaNews Group – Members of Narberth Ambulance standing with Steven.

LOWER MERION – Members of the Narberth Ambulance honored the staff of Bala Cynwyd Middle School and others during a ceremony this week for their quick action in saving the life of an 11-year-old student.

Due to his age, the student is only being identified as Steven G.

While playing basketball at Bala Cynwyd Middle School, Steven went into cardiac arrest and collapsed. But thanks to the school's preparedness and expertise, including CPR training and the Automated External Defibrillator (AED) nearby, they could administer prompt CPR and use the AED to keep him alive before emergency responders arrived.

Chief of Operations at Narberth Ambulance, Christopher Flanagan, praised the school's staff for their coordination, calmness, prompt CPR, and advanced life support.

"My hats off to the school district employees," Flanagan said as he addressed those present inside the ambulance's facility on Sibley Avenue in Ardmore. "Every one of you operated like a professional in an operating room. You really did a phenomenal job."

Flanagan then gave similar comments to the responding Lower Merion police officers.

"They were soon joined by the fantastic Lower Merion Police Department with top response and excellent training," Flanagan said.

Flanagan also praised Steven for "fighting the odds and surviving with determination."

According to Flanagan's account of what happened that day, on Feb. 9 at 7:48 a.m., Lower Merion police and Narberth Ambulance were called to a medical emergency at Bala Cywnyd Middle School.

They quickly learned that there was an 11-year-old student in need of being revived.

Flanagan said Narberth Ambulance EMS teams and one of its physicians quickly raced to the scene, knowing the severity of the situation. The Narberth crews were on the scene in minutes, which probably seemed like hours for those at the school working to save Steven.

When the Narberth EMS crews arrived, CPR was already in progress by school employees. They had administered four AED shocks before the arrival of the EMS crews.

"The phenomenal teamwork of teachers – keeping calm, administering CPR, protecting the other kids, providing those life-saving skills. Lower Merion police very quickly on the scene, jumping in, assisting with the AED and CPR, and informing us of the severity and quickest way to find him in the gym," Flanagan said.

The Narberth Ambulance crews quickly administered advanced life-saving and then raced him off to CHOP.

"A whirlwind of activity in a matter of minutes saved a life," Flanagan said.

Steven and his family attended the recognition ceremony, and he has since returned to school. He has also been cleared to participate in gym classes.

The school staff that was recognized for their work at saving Steven included Christine O’Connell, nurse; Harry Mobley, campus aide; Noelle Samulewicz, 6th-grade teacher; Donna Price, gym teacher; Mike Isackman, custodian; John Alison, custodian; Adam Miller, gym teacher; Matthew Stinson, gym teacher; Mary Clary school nurse; Craig Martin, 6th-grade teacher; Collin Whiteside, gym teacher and Nick Allen, assistant principal.

The Narberth EMS crews were Sam Barriskell, Weena Doyle, Pat Glynn, Nick Iezzi, Dan Shaw and Mark Urbon.

The Lower Merion police officers also recognized were Mike Rosales, Mike Theiss and Chris Kubik.

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