Trenton honors first responders after 'cardiac save' of local resident

At its April 2 meeting, Trenton City Council and Atrium Medical Center recognized Trenton and Middletown emergency crews for resuscitating a resident who suffered a near‑fatal heart attack on Feb. 3.

Karen Ward, AMS coordinator for Atrium Medical Center, recounted that EMS crews found patient Billy Hartmmyer initially breathing but showing chest pain; en route to the hospital the patient stopped breathing and went into ventricular fibrillation. Trenton crews initiated CPR, delivered one defibrillation, and later, with mutual aid from Middletown Fire, regained a pulse. Ward said it was 21 minutes from the patient entering Atrium’s doors until the cath lab procedure began and 53 minutes from EMS care to intervention.

Ward and Wendy Mitchell (director of nursing for the emergency department) presented a lifesaving award to the involved personnel. The crew members named on the record were Kenny Mitchell and Zack Sharp of Trenton, and John Scranton, Tom Lindsay and Barrett Moore of Middletown.

A letter from the patient — read at the meeting — thanked the crews: “How do you tell someone thank you for saving your life? Just saying thank you isn't enough. They will forever have our gratitude.” The patient had stents placed in procedures on two occasions and was discharged after two days; the patient was unable to attend the ceremony for transportation reasons.

Council and attendees praised first responders and noted the value of interjurisdictional cooperation in emergencies. Mayor Ryan Perry and council members thanked the crews and the hospital for their work.