Jack Tatarian and family attended the Nov. 21st Board of Fire Commissioners meeting to thank everyone involved for saving his life on September 5, 2017.

Mr. Tatarian suffered a cardiac arrest that evening, and his wife called 9-1-1. Dispatchers from South Sound 911 provided directions for telephone CPR which the family performed. The children had to assist with rolling their father over so that compressions could be started.

Units from East Pierce Fire & Rescue as well as Bonney Lake Police were dispatched. A BLPD officer was nearby on patrol, and responded to the scene where he took over CPR. The Officer was equipped with an Automatic External Defibrillator (AED), but with no shock advised, he continued providing CPR.

East Pierce crews arrived and took over resuscitation efforts. After 38 minutes, Mr. Tatarian was revived and transported to the hospital. It takes a highly proficient team to achieve an outcome such as this. On this particular incident, EPFR responded with 1 Medic Unit, 3 Engines, a Battalion Chief for a total of 9 personnel.

Mr. Tatarian thanked the Board for providing the crews the training and equipment necessary to save lives, and then thanked the firefighters involved for giving him his life back.

Medical Services Officer Jeff Moore explained the efforts that EPFR has put forth in improving patient outcomes, and that the survival rate for witnessed ventricular fibrillation cardiac arrest is 50 percent to date for 2017, placing EPFR among the best survival rates in the world.

Early CPR improves the chances of survival in keeping the brain oxygenated allowing the firefighter or paramedics to provide airway support, medications and advanced defibrillation.

EPFR provides CPR training; learn more at eastpiercefire.org.