Upper Providence honors nine first responders after July/August cardiac arrest rescue

At the Jan. 21, 2025 meeting of the Upper Providence Board of Supervisors, Chief Bridal presented life‑saving awards to nine first responders who assisted in the Aug. 30, 2024 cardiac arrest rescue of a resident.

Chief Bridal described the incident timeline and the coordinated response by local police, fire and Friendship Ambulance, then introduced the patient’s wife, Sue Choi, who addressed the board and those honored: "My name is Sue Choi, and I'm here to say thank you to the honored serviceman and woman who saved my husband's life on the evening of 08/30/2024." She named the telecommunicator and responders she wanted to thank and described the care that led to her husband Edmund’s recovery.

Names read by the presenter for award recognition included the 9‑1‑1 telecommunicator (Steve Robinson), Corporal Mike Swartz, Officer Octavius Baker, Captain Ryan Cameli, Firefighter Josh Ruger, Firefighter Mike McGuire, Firefighter Blaze Little Alley, Paramedic JP Mansack, and EMT Joseph Ward. The presenters invited award recipients and family to remain after the meeting for photos and to meet at the firehouse.

Why it matters: The board publicly recognized cross‑agency coordination — telecommunicator guidance, police and fire CPR and AED use, and ambulance care — that the presenters credited with saving a life. Public recognition also highlighted community trust in local emergency services and the value of training and interagency coordination.

Next steps: Attendees were invited to a post‑meeting reception at the firehouse to meet the responders and the family.