McCandless-Franklin Park Ambulance Authority lauded for lifesaving work at open house
A former McCandless resident attended an open house of the McCandless-Franklin Park Ambulance Authority on May 18 to publicly thank its crews for helping to save his life last year.
The MFPAA invited the public to its headquarters along Grubbs Road in McCandless to tour the station, showcase its equipment and vehicles, and meet its personnel.
David Brownstein, a retired dentist, took the opportunity to share how the MFPAA crew provided critical care when he suffered a cardiac arrest in August.
“I’m happy to have the chance to take care of my wife, to see my grandchildren and to personally say ‘thank you,’ ” said Brownstein, who recently moved to a one-level home in Hampton.
Brownstein, who was there with his wife, Elaine, a nurse, said he recalls waking up seeing “two big arms” administering chest compressions, likely someone from the EMS crew. His next memory is waking up at the hospital in an intensive care unit with a temporary pacemaker.
He survived because MFPAA provided critical care at the right time.
“I happened to have the right personnel taking care of me so I could open my eyes in the ICU,” Brownstein said.
MFPAA Chief Chris Dell said they arrived at the Brownstein home within six minutes of the call.
“It was our pleasure to take care of you. We’re really glad you’re here and willing to share your story,” Dell said.
Dell recalled that day as a busy one and shared the activities of a typical day at the MFPAA. Giving an example of May 17, as the night shift was coming off of a busy night of seven calls, the next crew came on at 7 a.m. to check all of the equipment and gear as is done at the start of every shift.
Calls already were coming in, ranging from cardiac arrests at extended care facilities, a serious vehicle accident, fire-related calls and a baby delivered that morning, he said.
“By the end of the day, we had 36 calls,” he said.
Altogether, there were 23 transfers to the hospital, eight nontransports, which means crews arrived at the call, provided care but the patient did not request transport to a hospital, and five fire-related calls.
Cheryl Rickens, a nurse and an emergency medical services specialist for UPMC Prehospital Care, often works with the MFPAA. She attended the open house to represent UPMC Magee-Womens Hospital, which receives many of MFPAA’s patients.
She presented certificates to EMS staff who delivered a baby on March 14 in McCandless, providing the necessary care for the newborn and mother. This included paramedic Emma Reynolds, EMS staff member Jacob Kennedy, registered nurse and paramedic Lt. Stephanie Zentz, Lt. Ed Gnoth and Capt. Norm Prycl, who has delivered nine babies in his EMS career.
“You have to be ready for everything,” said Rickens, noting it also was National EMS Week from May 18-24.
Dell also acknowledged the two-year anniversary of paramedic and Crew Chief Travis Grosch and the three-year anniversary of emergency medical technician Austin Clifford.
“We simply believe the dedication of every employee deserves to be recognized. We are blessed to have great people here at MFPAA,” Dell said.
Dell has been with MFPAA for three years and in the profession for 38.
“I couldn’t be more proud of the people we have here. The level of patient care that goes on at the McCandless-Franklin Park Ambulance Authority is second to none,” he said.
For details about the agency, visit mfpaa.org.
Natalie Beneviat is a Trib Total Media contributing writer.
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