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Mercy Health honors North College Hill firefighters and police after March cardiac-arrest revival
Summary
At its May 19 meeting, North College Hill City Council received a presentation from Mercy Health recognizing North College Hill Fire Department and three police officers for reviving a 61-year-old man after a March cardiac arrest; the patient was discharged nine days later without neurological damage.
Mike Shearer, an EMS coordinator with Mercy West Hospital, presented a lifesaving award to North College Hill first responders during the council's May 19 meeting. "The response by North College Hill Fire and Police 100 percent made a difference in this patient's outcome," Shearer said.
Shearer told council that North College Hill Medic 78 responded on March 26 for a 61-year-old man who was found unresponsive. Police officers on scene had begun CPR and had placed an automated external defibrillator (AED) before EMS arrival. "The patient regained a pulse, which is also called ROS, which is return of spontaneous circulation," Shearer said. Advanced cardiac life support continued en route and at the hospital. The patient was discharged nine days later "without any defect," Shearer said.
Shearer said Mercy coordinators created the life-saving award in April 2024 to recognize police, fire and EMS agencies that revive cardiac-arrest patients in the field and ultimately leave the hospital neurologically intact. He named the department members and officers singled out: firefighter–medic Nate Ritchie, firefighter–medic Ryan Swatowski (not present), firefighter Glenn Hanson, and police officers Michael Martin, Nick Jackson and Gary Hill. Mercy also provided a plaque and a challenge coin for the credited responders.
Mayor Mary Nichols and multiple council members praised the firefighters and police officers. Councilmember Underwood told the responders, "thank you so much for your service and thank you so much for everything you do for our city and for this entire county." Councilmember Wilson said he appreciated "the hard work that you put in to making sure that we are safe here in this community." City Administrator Dukstein and Jason Asick, identified as representing Mercy, also attended the presentation and expressed support.
The plaque presented to the department notes the March 26, 2025 date and reads in part, "A life was saved because of you." Council recessed briefly for photographs at Shearer's request.
No formal council action or vote accompanied the presentation; the item was delivered as a recognition and public acknowledgement of the responders' actions.
