Chatham First Responders Recognized With Lifesaving Awards

CHATHAM – Every day, those who work in public safety face the prospect of responding to emergencies where split-second decisions can mean life or death. Last week, five local public safety staff members were honored for their swift and professional actions when confronted by unexpected situations.

 Deputy Harbormaster Marshall Burke was recognized for responding to a serious motorcycle accident, while four members of the police department were lauded for saving the life of a resident in medical distress. All five received public safety lifesaving awards for their actions.

 Public safety officials prepare relentlessly for just such unanticipated occurrences, said Deputy Police Chief Lou Malzone.

 “These officers and Deputy Harbormaster Burke prove what readiness shows us,” he said during the award ceremony at the fire station Nov. 13. “Calm under pressure, decisive action and preparedness through training. And because of that, lives are saved.”

 Burke, who only recently joined the harbormaster department, was just finishing up a meeting at the Center for Active Living on Oct. 3 when he heard the sound of a vehicle crash at the corner of Stony Hill and Orleans roads. 

 “Without hesitation, Deputy Harbormaster Burke ran toward the scene and discovered a serious motorcycle accident,” said Harbormaster Jason Holm. Burke immediately began rendering aid to an injured motorcyclist. “The scene was chaotic with multiple agencies responding, traffic halted and bystanders watching everywhere. But Deputy Burke remained calm and focused.”

 After an ambulance arrived and rescue personnel took over treatment of the injured motorcyclist, Burke remained at the scene to help manage traffic and support the public safety response, Holm said, and when the scene was secured, he returned to his harbormaster duties. Burke’s actions, Holm said, embody “the humility and professionalism that defines true public service.”

 On Wednesday, Aug. 20, a local couple was traveling near the police station on George Ryder Road when the woman, who was driving, noticed her husband was in distress, said Chief of Police Michael Anderson. She pulled the vehicle into the police station and alerted the desk officer to the emergency. The evening shift — Sergeant Christopher Vardakis, Sergeant Elizabeth Thompson and Officers Richard Spaulding and Joe Pagliaro — had just come on duty and all members were still in the building; they rushed to respond, Anderson said, while the dispatcher called the fire department for an ambulance.

 When the officers examined the husband they found that he had no pulse and was not breathing. “The officers immediately began lifesaving measures that included CPR and chest compressions,” Anderson said. An automated external defibrillator (AED) was applied and indicated that a shock was advised. Several were administered while CPR and chest compressions continued. 

 After what “seemed like an eternity” but was actually just five minutes, the fire department arrived and took over care of the man, at which time his heartbeat and breathing were re-established, Anderson said. The man was taken to Cape Cod Hospital, and by later that night he was alert and recovering. The couple could not attend last week’s ceremony, Anderson said, because the man had a follow-up medical appointment, but they had stopped by the police and fire departments previously to thank the rescuers.

 Anderson said he was still in the station when the incident occurred and witnessed his officer’s response. When he asked if he could help, he said he was “immediately dismissed and told that I could go direct traffic. That is a sign of a squared-away group of individuals.”

 Three of the officers were presented with the department’s Lifesaving Award; Vardakis was unable to attend.

 Holm noted that even the most seasoned public safety personnel carry such experiences with them long after the situation is over. “The memory of such scenes stay long after the shift ends,” he said. “Yet behind that lies the truth that your swift actions may have given someone their best possible chance at survival. And that is why we do what we do.”