Newark Firefighters Greet New Job With Gusto, Save Life With CPR

NEWARK, NJ — Newark firefighters have been given a daunting new job assignment: serve as the city’s first line of defense during serious medical emergencies. And during a tense encounter last weekend, they showed why they were given the assignment in the first place – possibly saving a person’s life in the process.

On Saturday, local firefighters performed cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) on a driver after a motor vehicle accident, successfully regaining a pulse before they were taken to a hospital for further treatment.

Watch a video taken at the scene and read more about the incident below.

It was one of the first examples of a recent policy change in the city, which kicked off at the beginning of June. Now, in addition to fighting blazes in the city, Newark’s firefighters will also provide medical services such as cardiac monitoring and defibrillation, hemorrhage control, airway clearance and initial wound care.

It's not a new concept in Newark, where the city's fire houses also double as "Neighborhood First Aid Stations," which give residents basic first aid for minor injuries such as cuts, bloody noses and splinters.

But now, local firefighters will be asked to take on even more medical emergencies, officials say.

“Our goal is to tap into the expertise of our firefighters to assist even when the victim requires emergency assistance outside of a fire,” Mayor Ras Baraka explained.

Public Safety Director Brian O’Hara said police and EMS workers will now be joined by firefighters when someone calls authorities about a life-threatening injury in Newark.

“Utilizing firefighters as first responders in medical emergencies shows the community that the Newark Department of Public Safety is taking a holistic approach to preserving the lives of victims — regardless of how they sustained an injury,” O’Hara said.

• See related article: Newark Is Expanding Its Use Of Firefighters, Fire Stations

CPR AT ELIZABETH AND WEST PEDDIE

Newark firefighters found themselves put to the test when they responded to a car crash at the intersection of Elizabeth Avenue and West Peddie Street on June 5.

According to the Newark Department of Public Safety:

“While at the scene, one of the drivers was in cardiac arrest with no pulse. Battalion Chief Orlando Arce immediately started chest compressions, while members of Engine 10 administered oxygen. Members of Ladder 5 and Rescue 1 removed the driver from the vehicle and assisted with chest compressions, and were able to successfully regain a pulse, but the driver remained in critical condition. Emergency medical services arrived on the scene, continued treatment and transported the driver to a local hospital for additional care.”

O’Hara said it was “no surprise” that Arce and his team were able to rise to the task.

“I’m certain that this will be the first of countless incidents where Newark firefighters will have a direct impact in any emergency response,” O’Hara said.

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