Queens, N.Y. — June 11 — A 15-year-old student who had cardiac arrest at a Queens school on Thursday was saved thanks to a coordinated response by FDNY EMS personnel, firefighters, and school personnel.

When EMTs Alexis Torres and Justin Sarapaivanit of Station 45 arrived, they discovered that school staff was already administering CPR and using an automatic external defibrillator (AED) on the premises. The AED had already given three shocks before EMS arrived. The EMTs took over patient care right away, verified that the student was still experiencing cardiac arrest, and proceeded with advanced resuscitation.

Members of Engine 325 arrived shortly afterward to assist with patient care and prepare the student for rapid transport. As the patient was being readied for the ambulance, EMTs Torres and Sarapaivanit reassessed the teen and observed signs of Return of Spontaneous Circulation (ROSC), including the return of spontaneous breathing.

Rescue Paramedics Kayla Pasquarello and Meagan Valicenti, along with Lt. Erin Doyle, further stabilized the patient, performed cardiac monitoring and notified the receiving hospital of the incoming critical patient to ensure the emergency department was prepared for arrival.