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Quick thinking saves Wurtsboro man’s life

Posted 10/12/21

WURTSBORO –– Emergency Medical Technicians from the Mamakating First Aid Squad and a paramedic from the Town of Wallkill EMS are being credited with saving the life of Wurtsboro …

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Quick thinking saves Wurtsboro man’s life

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WURTSBORO –– Emergency Medical Technicians from the Mamakating First Aid Squad and a paramedic from the Town of Wallkill EMS are being credited with saving the life of Wurtsboro resident Mike Young. The efforts of those involved were recognized by local and state elected officials on Tuesday night last week.

Young was in his car in the parking lot of Mamakating First Aid Squad when EMT's Jeff Ashdown and his partner, Alexandra Reiley, assessed him. The call turned from a routine Chest Pains call to a cardiac arrest in seconds. An emergency trip to the hospital ensued, with the EMTs working on Young, while Wurtsboro Mayor Frank Sisco, a member of the first aid squad, drove the ambulance.

EMTs said that Young went lifeless during the ride. The rig picked up Wallkill Paramedic Phil Longden en route to assist the EMTs in reviving the patient. Young needed to be shocked at least four times before being brought back to life on the ride to the hospital.

“I feel blessed. I feel so grateful to everyone who helped me especially Jeff, Alexandra, Frank and Phil,” Young said. “They really saved my life. I can keep spending time with my wife and children which I am forever grateful for.”

EMT Jeff Ashdown stated, “We get cardiac arrests on a regular basis. For me to get a patient to the hospital with pulses is a big deal. To get from the ER to the Floor is a big deal, but in Michael's case, he woke up in the back of the ambulance and walked out of the hospital with no deficits and that's the biggest deal out of everything.”

EMT Alexandra Reiley states, “This was my first CPR save, so working with someone like Jeff, was great. Everything went smooth and exactly like it should have and the best thing is that he is alive and with us today.”

Mamakating First Aid Squad Captain Rebecca Goodman was not surprised by the skill and professionalism of her colleagues.

“I am beyond proud of this team,” she said. “I have had the chance to do calls with each of these great people and they are excellent. I can not be more proud of my team and the work they have done.”

On this past Tuesday night, Michael Young and his wife joined Assemblywoman Aileen Gunther and Senator Mike Martucci in recognizing the efforts of the EMTs, paramedic, and the emergency driving by Village of Wurtsboro Mayor Frank Sisco.

Gunther and Martucci offered citations from their respective legislative bodies recognizing the work.

“Your heroic efforts saved this man's life,” Gunther told the crew.

Martucci also praised the work adding, “This is a great story – but we're not surprised. It's part of your everyday routine.”

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