Lifesaving effort is celebrated in Newbury Park

IRIS SMOOT/Acorn Newspapers BELOVED BABY BROTHER--Delaney Anthony, 3, pretends her toy puppy is kissing her baby brother, Tommy, who's in the arms of Los Robles Hospital emergency room nurse Debbie Licht. Delaney and her father and mother, Dan and Lisa, participated in a recent event to honor everyone on the team that helped save Tommy's life.

On Fri., Feb 29 many of the people involved in the procedure that saved the life of a 5-month-old boy in January met at Fire Station No. 32 in Newbury Park for a French toast breakfast with the infant and his family.

The breakfast was prepared by Robin Shedlosky and Katy Hadduck, nurses in the Ventura County Fire Department's Emergency Medical Services unit.

Shedlosky and Hadduck are responsible for the CPR program in the fire department. They prepare a breakfast for any engine crew who has a CPR "save."

Firefighters and dispatchers also receive a pin for their uniform whenever they save a life through CPR or help to deliver a baby.

"This boy's situation is a perfect example of how the system works to save lives," said Hadduck. "It started with a 911 call to our communications center, where a dispatcher gave CPR instructions over the phone to the boy's dad. Then the crew of Engine Company 32 arrived to take over CPR and further assess the baby's condition. He was taken in an ambulance to Los Robles Medical Center by American Medical Response, where he received additional treatment until he could be taken to UCLA medical center. The good news is he's now healthy and home with his family."

IRIS SMOOT/Acorn Newspapers A LIFE SAVED- John Wilson, American Medical Response clinical education services director, cuddles with 5-month-old Tommy Anthony. Tommy's life was saved by CPR that was administered by Ventura County Fire Department emergency personnel. The department served homemade breakfast last Friday to lifesavers, the Anthony family and other officials on Friday morning. Each member of the team got a "CPR Save" pin.

"It's very gratifying to see the county's emergency medical system perform so well," said Shedlosky, "but seeing that little baby boy alive and well is really what it's all about."