The City of Breezy Point Police Department has run a Paramedic Program for a good number of years. This service is offered to the surrounding area. It is staffed by two police officers that are also paramedics. The department has been very fortunate to also link with North Memorial to provide the required oversight to provide for the program.
Generally speaking if a call for help occurs our paramedic will go to the site and hopefully be there prior to the ambulance arrival. The patient is stabilized and life supporting efforts are accomplished. Some of these life supporting efforts would not be possible were it not for equipment that has been purchased through donations from many governmental units, grants and other donors. Of particular importance have been a 12 lead heart monitor and recently an automatic CPR machine.
Fairly recently Paramedic Officer Jason Rieber, Sergeant Brian Sandell and Chief Kevin Merschman responded to the report of difficulty breathing on January 3, 2012. A third degree heart block was detected utilizing a 12 lead heart monitor. An IV was established and the patient was sedated. The monitor was then utilized as a pacemaker which allowed the patient to survive transport to a facility capable of treating the life threatening heart condition.
As a result of this action the city awarded these officers Life Saver Awards at the May 7, 2012 meeting. Mayor Weaver presented the award and congratulated them for their actions. The city has a lot to be proud of when it comes the Paramedic program. The city is also extremely grateful for the assistance we have received in acquiring the tools to make a difference in emergency responses.
