Three Chelsea Area Fire Authority firefighters were among the recipients of a Distinguished Service Award for saving the life of a Chelsea resident.
The awards were given at Tuesday morning’s CAFA board meeting.
According to Chelsea Fire Chief Rob Arbini, on Oct. 3, CAFA and HVA were dispatched to a home in Chelsea and firefighters took over performing CPR from the husband of the patient. The firefighters delivered three shocks to the patient, HVA arrived, and delivered one more shock then transported the patient to St. Joseph Mercy Chelsea Hospital.
The patient was stabilized and transferred to St. Joseph Mercy Ann Arbor hospital.
“The initial response of CAFA made a huge difference on the outcome of this call,” he said in an email, adding, “I hope the people in our CAFA area communities understand what they are getting in their fire department. We don’t just backup HVA and assist with lifting people. We don’t just fight fires. We are your primary first responders. We respond to fires, medical and rescue calls, motor vehicle accidents, etc.”
He said, “People need to understand that CAFA is, and will continue to be, an important part of the City of Chelsea and Lima, Lyndon, and Sylvan townships and anyone that visits or travels through these communities.”
Receiving a Distinguished Service Award were Fire Captain Scott Basar, Firefighter Nate Saarinen, Lt. Bill Regnier, HVA EMT Cody Straits, HVA Paramedic Kerry Keith, call taker Dakota Kay and dispatcher Jordan Wild.
The husband of the patient Bob Skull, received a Distinguished Civilian Award.
