Livermore-Pleasanton Fire Department Recognizing Several Local Heroes

On Thursday, August 15th, 2019, the Livermore-Pleasanton Fire Department will be recognizing several local heroes who jumped into action to save a victim of sudden cardiac arrest. The victim and his rescuers will be meeting for the first time at the press event.

Event Details
Location: Shadow Cliffs Lake, 2500 Stanley Bl, Pleasanton
Time: 10:30 event start time
Date: August 15, 2019

Background
On June 15, 2019, while running on Stanley Blvd outside of the East Bay Regional Park’s Shadow Cliffs Lake, Albert Hart suffered a sudden cardiac arrest. A friend recognized the severity of the situation and flagged down passing motorists. The motorist called 911 and started CPR. Noticing the commotion, off-duty Livermore-Pleasanton Firefighter Cadets Cody and Jason Stearns pulled over and took over CPR. The 911 call also triggered PulsePoint, which alerted nearby CPR-trained responders, one of which was a lifeguard working at Shadow Cliffs. The Lifeguard along with his colleagues was directed to the scene by PulsePoint. After arriving on scene, the responders were able to deliver defibrillation shock to Mr. Hart using the Automated External Defibrillator (AED). A few minutes behind Mr. Hart, on the same run, Mr. Hart’s wife, Trish, arrived at his side and spoke to him during the resuscitation.

The Livermore-Pleasanton Fire Department paramedics and Paramedics Plus ambulance arrived at the scene and initiated Advanced Life Support care. Mr. Hart was transported to a local cardiac care emergency room where he was admitted, before eventually being transferred to Kaiser Hospital. Just eight days after the event, and a day after his 28th wedding anniversary, Mr. Hart walked out of the hospital in good condition.

Mr. Hart has returned to work with a Bay Area school district and will be celebrating his 60th birthday later this month. The Harts live in Marin but travel to Pleasanton often to train for endurance events which include running and open water swimming.

This miraculous recovery was only possible because of the individuals who chose to learn CPR and those who know CPR and downloaded the PulsePoint app. PulsePoint is a smartphone app that alerts CPR-trained citizens when there is a cardiac arrest victim nearby.

All of the Tri-Valley region, most of California, and over 3600 communities across North America utilize PulsePoint. The application was first deployed by San Ramon Valley Fire Protection District in 2009 by then Fire Chief Richard Price. Chief Price later created the PulsePoint Foundation, a public non-profit 501(c)(3), which is currently headquartered in Pleasanton.

Deputy Chief Joe Testa stated, “This story should serve as inspiration for anyone who is able to learn CPR to do so. There is no better example of how important the bystander link is in the chain of survival.”

Honorees

EBRPD Lifeguards
McKenna Stevulak
Joseph Jerome
Rafael Ledezma-Villalva
Jeremiah Howland
Anthony Nguyen

Citizens
Juliana Schirmer
Bill Schirmer
Albert Dyrness

LPFD Off-Duty Rescuers
LPFD Explorer Cody Stearns
LPFD Reserve Jason Stearns

The media is welcome and encouraged to attend the August 15th event where the citizen and lifeguard rescuers will be recognized. Mr. Hart and his wife will also be there to share their story and meet their rescuers. The event will mark the 2-month anniversary of Mr. Hart’s cardiac arrest.

Media Contact
Joe Testa, Deputy Fire Chief
Livermore-Pleasanton Fire Department
3560 Nevada Street
Pleasanton, CA 94566
(925) 998-1201

Source: Livermore-Pleasanton Fire Department Press Release