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Bystanders and first responders were honored for their life-saving actions in February during a March 19 Menlo Park Fire Protection District board meeting.
“What a wonderful day it is to celebrate our community,” said Fire Chief Mark Lorenzen. “All of us, whether we’re dispatchers, police officers, bystanders, or firefighters, that’s what we’re here for: to help our community.”
The 6-year-old survivor, Menlo Park resident Jules Arguello, had been spotted at a party on Santa Monica Avenue at around 6:40 p.m. on Feb. 10, lying facedown on a trampoline.
Responders included Capt. Dave Bragg, firefighters Taj Carpenter and Derek Sterling, and cadet Gavin Zamora, whose arrival was followed by Capt. John Renner and Josh Wittmayer.
They found Jules without a pulse.
Lorenzen commended the team for working together to administer cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and administer three rounds of medication before transporting her to Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital at Stanford University.
On the route, they managed to get her breathing again, and her blood pressure returned to a healthy level, according to Lorenzen.
“Being willing to act is so critical,” he added, praising the community for working together.
Jules’ godmother made the call to dispatchers, and her calmness on the call was also commended by Lorenzen. Dispatchers included Veronica Ochoa, Amy Issenmann and Melanie Marasigan.
Erica Daly, Kristin Andruska and Jennifer Lin were honored for taking action before first responders arrived.
“We have responders who are so good, there’s no way to put it into words, but all of you together saved Jules’ life, and I’m forever grateful,” said Valerie Frederickson, host of the party, joking that buying a home near a fire department was the right move.
“Thank you so much for not giving up,” said Jule’s father, Jason Arguello, thanking the community and officers. “Thank you for attending certification classes. My baby is here because of you guys.”
Board members urged attendees to receive CPR training. Menlo Park’s Fire District will hold its next First Aid and CPR training on April 6 at 2470 Pulgas Ave.
