The Second Alarmers Rescue Squad and Association of Montgomery County Inc. (SARS) recognized a citizen and responders who recently saved the life of a 2-year old drowning victim.
On Tuesday, August 3rd, representatives from Second Alarmers Rescue Squad and the young child’s family recognized emergency responders and citizen Michele Raquet with their Chain of Survival award at the Whitpain Township Board of Supervisors Meeting. These awards were presented as a result of their actions on Saturday, May 15th of this year, when their quick thinking and prompt actions resulted in saving a 2-years olds life. When 2-year old Michael was not seen for a few minutes in his Whitpain Township home, family and friends started looking. That is when they came across the open gate that leads to the pool where they found Michael, unconscious in the deep end of the 50-degree pool. Michelle Raquet was visiting her friends when little Michael went missing. She rushed to help pull Michael out of the pool and quickly realized that he was not breathing and did not have a heartbeat. Luckily Michelle is a Registered Nurse who works at Doylestown Hospital Emergency Department. She made sure 9-1-1 was called, began rescue breathing to help keep valuable oxygen in Michael’s lungs. She began chest compressions to help Michael’s little heart circulate blood to his brain. She did this until a faint cry and whimper told her that Michael was back from death…barely.
When Second Alarmers Rescue Squad Paramedic Anthony McGrail, EMT Scott Schwade and EMT Garry Schmoltze arrived they found Michael not responsive and struggling to breath on his own. Paramedic McGrail administered oxygen by mask, started an IV with warm fluid and began to actively re-warm little Michael’s frail body. The Second Alarmers crew made a decision that Michael needed the specialty pediatric care found at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) and the quickest way to get from Blue Bell to CHOP was by medical helicopter. After a brief stay at CHOP Michael made a full recovery and is a playful little 2 year-old. Michael’s father credits his son’s survival to both Michelle and the crew from Second Alarmers Rescue Squad stating “They saved his life, Michelle brought him back from death and the ambulance crew took charge, made a decision that allowed him to be with us today.”
Unfortunately many of these emergency responses do not have as happy an outcome as this one. Second Alarmers Executive Director, Jamie Haddon, was quoted as stating, “The events of this day truly were a textbook display of how well things can go when all links of the “Chain of Survival” work together to save a life.” To learn more about CPR training classes that Second Alarmers offer regularly free of charge contact them at 215-659-1885 or through their website at www.SARS.org.
Second Alarmers Rescue Squad Featured in "The Ambulance: A History" by Ryan Corbett Bell
Editorial Reviews
"This thorough history follows the ambulance through every phase." --Antique Automobile
"Fascinating history." --C&RL News
"Fascinating history." --C&RL News
"Fires 398 hard-bound pages at the subject...scope is amazing...much prewar-automobile referencing abounds...this book hits the center!" --Prewar Auto Notes
Over several centuries the ambulance has evolved from horse-drawn wagons designed to remove wounded soldiers from the battlefield into high-speed emergency rooms on wheels, staffed by skilled professionals. This thorough history follows the ambulance through every phase, focusing not just on the vehicles but on their role within the developing medical systems they served, as well as the political, social and economic influences that have shaped their advancement.
Topics include the critical role of police ambulances in the development of the first emergency medical services, the history of the ambulance intern, breakthroughs in ambulance design and function from the horse-drawn days to the present, notable women in ambulance development, and a fresh look at the first organized paramedic services. More than 275 photographs and other illustrations accompany the text. LEARN ABOUT THE SECOND ALARMERS INNOVATIONS IN THE HISTORY OF THE AMBULANCE STARTING ON PAGE 234.
Topics include the critical role of police ambulances in the development of the first emergency medical services, the history of the ambulance intern, breakthroughs in ambulance design and function from the horse-drawn days to the present, notable women in ambulance development, and a fresh look at the first organized paramedic services. More than 275 photographs and other illustrations accompany the text. LEARN ABOUT THE SECOND ALARMERS INNOVATIONS IN THE HISTORY OF THE AMBULANCE STARTING ON PAGE 234.
About the Author
A psychiatrist and former district attorney, Ryan Corbett Bell has visited hospitals, clinics, leper colonies, and infirmaries worldwide and studies medical history and the ways in which care is delivered. He lives in Rocky Hill, Connecticut. The book can be purchased on Amazon.com at http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/product-description/0786438118/ref=dp_proddesc_0?ie=UTF8&n=283155&s=books
ABOUT THE SECOND ALARMERS:
Since it’s founding in 1938, Second Alarmers Association and Rescue Squad of Montgomery County, Incorporated (SARS) has grown to become one of the largest private not-for-profit pre-hospital Emergency Medical Service (EMS) providers in the region, responding to over 12,000 emergency 911 incidents each year. SARS is a combination department composed of 100 volunteer and 123 career members, delivering service from five stations with 22 vehicles, including twelve advanced life support ambulances.
SARS provides these crucial life saving Emergency Medical and Rescue Services to the over 130,000 residents, in the 55,371 households of the 56.68 square mile area of Abington, Upper Dublin, Upper Moreland and Whitpain Townships as well as the Boroughs of Hatboro, Jenkintown and Rockledge. SARS is also the primary contracted EMS and rescue company for 15 miles of the Pennsylvania Turnpike from the Willow Grove Inter-change.
Unlike local fire and police departments, Second Alarmers does not receive recurring tax funding, our survival is dependant upon service reimbursement, grants and generous donations. Our services include providing EMS and Rescue services through our Paramedic Units, Rescue Truck, Marine Unit, Bicycle Team and Two State Strike Teams. We also provide full personnel leasing and billing services for SARS and multiple EMS organizations.
Want to provide outstanding care to members of the communities we serve? Tour our website to learn how you can provide direct care or financial support to keep our operations the best they can be.
For Emergency Calls: Dial 911
Administrative Headquarters
307 Davisville Road PO Box 13
Willow Grove, PA 19090
Administrative Phone 215.659.1885
Fax 215.659.3177
Emergency Operational Stations
Station 380 – Rescue and Special Operations
307 Davisville Road Willow Grove PA 19090
Station 381 – EMS Operations
307 Davisville Road Willow Grove PA 19090
Station 382 – EMS Operations
876 Jenkintown Road Elkins Park PA 19027
Station 383 – EMS Operations
2843 Limekiln Pike Glenside PA 19038
Station 384 – EMS Operations
118 South York Road Hatboro PA 19040
Station 385 – EMS Operations
960 Wentz Road Suite 2 Whitpain PA 19422
