The American Red Cross presented Certificates of Extraordinary Personal Action to 20 Montgomery Township first responders and one citizen for steps they took to save the lives of two residents in November 2023. Red Cross Delaware Valley Chapter Executive Director Lynn Cohen was joined by both survivors to present the awards to these real-life heroes on May 13 ahead of the Township’s Board of Supervisors Meeting.
The first incident occurred on the evening of Nov. 10th, when Montgomery Township Emergency Services was dispatched to a home on Hopkins Court for a cardiac arrest. Police Sgt. Lee Wagner and Officers Brian Schreier and Eric Hernandez found the resident – Mr. Daniel Jenkins – unresponsive, turning blue and having trouble breathing. The three officers attached the resident to an AED, delivered shocks and performed CPR. a494 n 7m valves
Next, Montgomery Township Department of Fire Services arrived at the scene. Captain Rachel Gibson, Captain Andrew Weiner and Firefighter Brandi Blusiewicz assisted by performing high-quality, pit crew-style chest compressions. Battalion Chief and Paramedic Adam Zwislewski provided airway control and manual ventilations using a bag-valve device.
The Volunteer Medical Service Corp of Lansdale arrived on the scene next. Paramedic Joseph Ross provided an Advanced Life Support assessment, manual defibrillation, medication, ECG and advanced patient care. Advanced EMT Joseph Vogelgesang provided vascular infusion treatment and assisted with medication.
Thanks to the collective efforts of everyone involved, Mr. Jenkins survived the medical emergency and attended the awards ceremony, where he shook each recipient’s hand.
The second incident took place during the afternoon of Nov. 17th. Hatfield resident Matthew Decesare was driving near the intersection of Lansdale Avenue and Crestwood Drive when he observed a man – Mr. Tom Pepe – collapse while jogging. Matt stopped his car, approached the man and determined that he wasn’t breathing.
While Matt wasn’t certified in CPR, he remembered the importance of doing chest compressions to the beat of Bee Gees’ “Staying Alive.” After calling 9-1-1, Matt performed chest compressions for over five minutes until Montgomery Township Police arrived on scene.
Officer Dan Rose took over CPR and Officer Hannah Moran administered shocks with the AED. Matt helped direct traffic around the incident until Montgomery Township Firefighters arrived to help with both traffic control and patient care. They included Captain Andrew Backlund, EMT Jacob Weltman, EMT Robert Roy, Firefighter Harry Reese and Assistant Chief John Scheiter.
The Volunteer Medical Service Corps of Lansdale also arrived on location and began patient care. Paramedic Moriyah Cox provided suction, EKG and medication. Chief Shane Wheeler performed a series of advanced imaging and monitoring tests, while Paramedics David Homce and Stephanie Traub provided IV therapy.
Thanks to the collective efforts of everyone involved, Mr. Pepe survived and was even home from the hospital in time for Thanksgiving. He was joined by his wife at the awards ceremony, offering handshakes and hugs to those who helped save his life.
The Certificate of Extraordinary Personal Action is awarded to people who step forward in an emergency situation to help save or sustain a human life. It is one of four awards given as part of the Red Cross Lifesaving Awards program. To nominate and recognize a person or group who has taken action to save or sustain a life, visit LifesavingAwards.org.
PHOTO 1: Lansdale resident Daniel Jenkins and Red Cross Delaware Valley Chapter Executive Director Lynn Cohen (center) stand with Lifesaving Award recipients on May 13, 2024. Photo by Alana Mauger / American Red Cross
PHOTO 2: Lansdale resident Tom Pepe (second from left) and Red Cross Delaware Valley Chapter Executive Director Lynn Cohen (left) stand with Lifesaving Award recipients on May 13, 2024. The township presented Hatfield resident Matthew Decesare (third from left) with a plaque to commemorate his role in the lifesaving effort. Photo by Alana Mauger / American Red Cross
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