WASHINGTON CO. EMS THANKED FOR SAVING LIFE OF HEART ATTACK VICTIM
The efforts of Washington County dispatchers and EMS to save the life of a local resident were recognized today (Tuesday) by Washington County Commissioners.
EMS Director Kevin Deramus broke down the events of September 9th, illustrating how the team of dispatchers, paramedics, catheterization lab staff and the Washington County medical flight crew worked together to transport and treat Charles Blake. Blake suffered an ST-elevated myocardial infarction (STEMI), which Deramus called the most time-sensitive form of heart attack.
Deramus played back audio from the 911 call to show how dispatchers were able to send out EMS 21 seconds after receiving the call from Charles’ wife, Gene Blake. An ambulance transported him from their home on FM 2621 to the helicopter landing zone at the Prairie Hill Volunteer Fire Department, where the county’s medical helicopter flew him to College Station to treat a large thrombus in his right coronary artery.
Deramus said the “spirit of collaboration” and “co-laboring towards a common good” is what saved the patient’s life, and commended everyone involved with his care. County Judge John Durrenberger thanked the family for sharing their story and applauded the efforts of the emergency responders, saying “this is the way that things are supposed to work.”
Also at today’s meeting, the court approved a joint resolution authorizing the county’s Republican and Democratic parties to enter into a joint primary election services contract with Washington County Election Administrator Carol Jackson. The contract allows Jackson to conduct, supervise and consolidate the joint primary election on March 1, 2022 and, if necessary, the joint primary runoff election on May 24, 2022.
Also in court, commissioners:
- Accepted bids for drive bridge piling; fuel for Engineering and Development Services, EMS, the Washington County Expo, the sheriff's office, the district attorney's office, constables and courthouse maintenance; oils, asphalts and emulsions; road construction materials; and steel products.
- Heard monthly reports from the emergency management coordinator, county and district clerks, justices of the peace, auditor, tax assessor-collector, treasurer, constables and elections department.