Making the news the hard way

[urbpan]

While the link still works, here's the tv news story about my dad's heart attack (and his cpr rescue by the off-duty chief of police).
I'll be sending Chief Sferrazza a nice letter.

Related To Story Video: Chief Credited With Saving Teacher's Life

Chief Saves History Teacher's Life

Teacher Suffers Heart Attack At Event

POSTED: 8:45 pm EST November 21, 2008

ENFIELD, Conn. -- A popular Enfield history teacher is recovering after being resuscitated by a police chief who was in the right place at the right time.Chief Carl Sferrazza was off the clock when social studies teacher Frank "Doc" Taylor suffered a heart attack at Polish Hall Thursday night."He went to sit down, and unfortunately, less than a minute, he collapsed on the floor," said Sferrazza. "He wasn't breathing and he had no pulse, so I began CPR."Seconds after Taylor's fall, Sferrazza used his portable radio to call Enfield's dispatch center to send help. Paramedics arrived a short time later and used a defibrillator to restore Taylor's heartrate."I know if it weren't for Carl Sferrazza, Chief Sferrazza, Doc Taylor wouldn't be alive today," said State Rep. Kathy Tallarita.Taylor has taught thousands of students in his 51 years in Enfield, including Thursday night's event organizer, Tallarita and colleague Sean Patrick Crane."He's a man of tremendous importance to us, he's a man who made an impact on our lives, and he's a good friend," Tallarita said.Sferrazza was shying away from the attention that his life-saving actions brought him on Friday."I just did the best job I could last night to help him in any way I could, so I'm happy to help," he said.

Comments

[lavenderjones.livejournal.com]

Oh how very lucky for you! I hope your father continues to improve.

My uncle was not so lucky and, while a doctor friend was at the curling rink with him when he had his heart attack, he died while the doctor drove him to the hospital. I miss him terribly.

[(Anonymous)]

This reminds me to sign up for a CPR class. I haven't taken one in years. Last year a friend of mine in Marshfield revived a woman using CPR. I'm so glad your dad is on the mend.

:)

[(Anonymous)]

So now that we are somewhat (yet not entirely) relieved, let me say that picture makes me wonder who has misbehaved out of frame? And I notice he has the camera with him... I'm so glad he wasn't in some tiny bar in Croatia or something...Don't forget that you and Andy need to sleep, eat, and tell people "no!" occasionally :)

love
joanna

[bdot.livejournal.com]

i am glad your father is recovering....

[propaddict.livejournal.com]

You'd think they could have found a better picture. I mean: the man is never more than an arm's reach from a camera, there HAVE to be some better ones that that.

[urbpan.livejournal.com]

Absolutely. Sean Patrick said he tried to get them to go to the classroom where there are some better ones, but they just used old yearbook photos.

[(Anonymous)]

Let me add my belated wishes for a smooth recovery for your dad, and a alrge cirlce of love & support for you & your family. We don't know each other, but having read your blog regularly for over a year, I feel you're a strong acquaintance!

I remember how scared I was when my dad had a heart attack when I was a young teen. All my life I'd heard the phrase "died of a heart attack" so I assumed it meant certain death. Thankfully, medicine has come a long way. I hope your dad takes care of himself!

~Flaneuse in DC

[elainetyger.livejournal.com]

Your dad was lucky that his arrest was witnessed by someone who could perform quality CPR, that a defib was available in a short time, and that he had a shockable rhythm. Even with all 3 of those lucky breaks, he still didn't have a 100% chance of a return of spontaneous circulation and breathing.

This post was on the same friends page as:
http://community.livejournal.com/onlineambulance/463475.html

I'm really glad for you and him that the chips fell as they did in his case.

[bellelvsbeast.livejournal.com]

OMG that is wonderful that he was helped so quickly! I hope he is better soon...and hey being in the news is pretty cool no matter how you got in there...just saying...;)
OK I kid, I mean it sucks that happened of course...
It makes for a great story though....

[bellelvsbeast.livejournal.com]

And hey it tells people how important it is to take First Aid and CPR classes...also it's a good idea to take Pet First Aid and CPR too...um yea tangent...:P