Traverse City Fire and EMS report rare perfect outcomes for shockable cardiac arrests

Traverse City fire and emergency medical services leaders told the City Commission on Sept. 2 that recent resuscitation work produced unusually good outcomes in several cardiac arrest cases. Interim City Manager Benjamin Marinette and EMS Administrator Katherine Dunklow described four instances in which patients were without a pulse when first found, received on‑scene care and were later discharged from hospital “neurologically intact.” The commission heard that when EMS crews arrived and found a shockable heart rhythm, every such patient in Traverse City this year survived and went home, a result local officials said reflects department training, equipment purchased through the city budget and a culture of preparedness. “Every single one of those patients was able to go home and continue their normal lives,” Katherine Dunklow said. Why it matters: Out‑of‑hospital cardiac arrest survival and neurological recovery are uncommon. Locally reported survival for shockable, witnessed arrests reached 100 percent for the cases cited tonight, while Marinette said statewide figures for similar, witnessed shockable arrests run about 30.5 percent. City leaders said the outcomes were driven by early defibrillation, effective CPR by bystanders and quick, coordinated EMS and fire response. Officials gave details and context: Marinette and Fire Chief Jim Toller described the August awards ceremony that recognized crews and included survivors speaking at the event. Dunklow, who the commission introduced as the city’s EMS administrator, said the department recently moved to serve as primary EMS transport for the city and called the results “extraordinary.” Marinette noted typical out‑of‑hospital cardiac arrest survival is low—“around 7 percent for adults and 12 percent for children”—and highlighted that one child, age 11, was among the saved patients. Discussion, direction and next steps: Commissioners and staff framed the outcomes as evidence that recent equipment and training purchases have had measurable benefit; Toller emphasized that drills are conducted with a “we will be successful” mindset. The commission did not take formal legislative action on these recognitions but heard staff requests and updates; no new budget action was approved at the meeting. Ending: Officials urged continued community awareness of CPR and early defibrillation and thanked department personnel. The commission noted public recognition plans and will receive any follow‑up status reports from fire and EMS staff at future meetings.