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Burke County recognizes EMS ‘lifesavers,’ highlights STEMI program and field cardiac care
Summary
County EMS Director James Robinson and Fry Hospital STEMI coordinator April Traxler recognized EMS responders, first responders and bystanders for multiple out‑of‑hospital cardiac saves, several ROSC events and field childbirths. Officials used the presentation to underscore training, equipment needs and regional STEMI coordination.
James Robinson, director of Burke County Emergency Services, and partners on March 17 recognized multiple crews, first responders and an unidentified bystander for out‑of‑hospital lifesaving interventions and described the county’s STEMI (ST‑elevation myocardial infarction) coordination with local hospitals.
Robinson described three recent cardiac‑arrest events with return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC): a Dec. 6 cardiac arrest at a shopping center in which an unidentified nurse began CPR before EMS arrival and the patient later received a stent at Fry hospital; a Jan. 28 cardiac arrest that began after a patient entered a car and went into arrest; and a Feb. 5 cardiac arrest in which Morganton Department of Public Safety personnel initiated CPR. Robinson said at least one of the three patients made a full neurological recovery and that others lived at least 48 hours post‑arrest — a common threshold for classifying a field event as a lifesaving ROSC.
The presentation also recognized several other responses, including five out‑of‑hospital deliveries reported after the storm and a March response in which a county EMT named Kamani stopped for an unconscious driver, activated 911 and helped save the individual who later made a full recovery at UNC Blue Ridge.
Fry Hospital’s STEMI coordinator, April Traxler, told commissioners the county’s field‑to‑hospital cardiac protocols are a model of coordinated care and urged continuing investment in equipment and training. “When your team's coming in the door, they push a button, and they're already seeing what's going on with their patient,” Traxler said, citing the county’s adoption of 12‑lead EKGs and prehospital STEMI alerts that streamline getting patients to definitive care.
Why this matters: Early CPR, rapid defibrillation and field recognition of STEMI reduce time to reperfusion and improve survival for people having major heart attacks. Robinson and Traxler stressed that equipment — such as automated CPR devices — and ongoing training are critical to sustaining outcomes and recommended continued budget support for EMS capabilities.
People and recognitions named - James Robinson, Burke County EMS Director (presenter) - April Traxler, STEMI coordinator, Fry Hospital (speaker) - Named first responders and EMS crew members acknowledged in the meeting: Wes Taylor (rescue squad), Cam Harden, James Deal, Stephanie Smith (student), Zach Williams (lieutenant/training sergeant), Adam Rawls, Heaven Henning, and others named in the transcript. Several Morganton Department of Public Safety and sheriff’s department personnel were recognized (some were on shift and could not attend).
Commission response Commissioners praised EMS personnel and their families. The board did not take formal action on the recognitions; the presentation served as public acknowledgment and to underline training and equipment priorities in upcoming budget discussions.
Ending note Speakers asked the public to recognize bystanders who perform CPR and highlighted public CPR training offered countywide. Traxler asked commissioners to consider the clinical value of devices and training when setting EMS budgets.
