Teamwork saves a life

MILLERTON — Local residents appeared to be in awe of how swiftly local emergency response agencies reacted to the 911 call placed for a cardiac arrest case in Millerton last Thursday night, April 14.

According to the press release issued by the North East Fire District on Friday, April 15, the Millerton Fire Company was dispatched with Northern Dutchess Town of North East Medic 1 in response to a 61-year-old Millerton man in cardiac arrest.

Dispatched at 9:15 p.m., Millerton Police Department (MPD) Officer-in-Charge Mike Veeder arrived first on scene within four minutes of dispatch. Though he was the initial first responder on the scene, Veeder said there was a neighbor already there who had called 911.

Immediately upon arrival, Veeder started CPR on the man in cardiac arrest, aided by an automated external defibrillator (AED).

The AED was donated by the North East Fire District to put in the patrol cars of on-duty officers with the MPD for just such occasions.

Shortly after Veeder arrived on scene, members of the Millerton Fire Company and Northern Dutchess Paramedics (NDP) arrived “and joined in the continued efforts to resuscitate the individual,” according to the fire company.

“Due to the great teamwork and quick response, the male was transported to the hospital with a pulse,” added the release.

Veeder confirmed the man was transported to Sharon Hospital in Sharon, Conn.

“It was a great collaboration by the MPD, the NDP, everyone on scene,” Veeder said about the emergency agencies’ teamwork. “It was a team effort just to bring this guy back to life.”

No word on what triggered the cardiac arrest, nor has the resident’s identity been disclosed due to confidentiality reasons.

Local residents lauded the life-saving efforts of emergency workers over social media — particularly those conducted by the MPD —  in saving the Millerton resident’s life.

Among the words of appreciation posted on the “Millerton Amenia Community Forum” Facebook page, local residents urged one another to show their support for the MPD by attending a public hearing this Wednesday, April 20.

The focus will be the Millerton Village Board’s proposed local law to abolish the MPD; the 6 p.m. hearing will be held at the NorthEast-Millerton Library Annex at 28 Century Blvd.

It will be the community’s last opportunity to speak formally before the board about whether it wants the village to keep its part-time police force or dissolve it before the mayor and trustees vote on the proposed law. If the MPD is abolished, Millerton will contract with the Dutchess County Sheriff’s Office for police coverage inside the village. For more on this issue, go to www.tricornernews.com.