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Newberry, county responders honored with Phoenix awards after multi-agency resuscitation
Summary
Chief Jason Lyman presented Phoenix awards to telecommunicators, sheriffdeputies, county fire rescue and Newberry fire personnel after a man suffered cardiac arrest on April 13 and regained a pulse at the scene, was transported to UF Shands, underwent surgery and walked out of the hospital four days later.
Newberry — Jason Lyman, chief of the Newberry Fire Department, presented Phoenix awards to a multi-agency team whose coordinated response led to the successful resuscitation and recovery of a local man.
Lyman described the April 13 incident: a 911 call just after 10 a.m. reported a man down outside his home. Telecommunicator Shareem Hughes (listed in the awards presentation) provided CPR instructions to the patient's wife while sheriff's deputies Adam Gargulack and Christopher Drake took over CPR on arrival. Alachua County Fire Rescue personnel and Newberry Fire Department paramedics delivered advanced life support, established airway and IV access, delivered a defibrillation and regained a pulse on scene.
"The Phoenix award is one of the most meaningful recognitions a first responder can receive," Chief Lyman said. He described the award as symbolizing "hope, resilience, and the extraordinary effort required to reverse the course of death," and explained the award is presented for a full neurologically intact recovery following cardiac arrest.
The patient was transported by a combined ACFR and Newberry crew to UF Shands Hospital, underwent immediate surgery to repair a cardiac blockage and a subsequent second surgery the following day, and walked out of the hospital four days later on April 17.
Recipients named by Lyman during the presentation included telecommunicator Shareem Hughes; communications supervisor Jennifer Froberg; Alachua County sheriff's deputy Adam Gargulack and deputy Christopher Drake (not present); Alachua County Fire Rescue crew members including firefighter EMT Nicholas Alfieri and Lieutenant Michael Redding; and Newberry Fire Department personnel including paramedics Louis DeRusi and Christy Langston, driver-operator Ambie Kaysen and Lieutenant Justin Asbell (not present). Chief Lyman and officials from both the city and county emphasized the event as an example of interagency partnership and integrated emergency response.
No formal action was required; the presentation recognized the coordinated work of local responders and county partners and was followed by public and official appreciation.
