LEBANON, Ore. – Quick thinking and prompt action by Safeway employees were credited with saving the life of a coworker who suffered a sudden cardiac arrest last month, according to the Lebanon Fire District (LFD).
The incident occurred on February 6 when an employee at the Safeway store in Lebanon collapsed due to a cardiac arrest. In a heroic effort, four store employees—Mary Stratton, John Escalera, Brandy Davis, and Tammy Vanepps-Fox—immediately sprang into action. They began performing CPR and used an automated external defibrillator (AED) to provide life-saving measures before emergency responders arrived at the scene.
“Their swift response was critical in stabilizing the patient and preventing a potentially tragic outcome,” said Lebanon Fire District officials. When emergency medical personnel arrived, they took over the treatment, successfully stabilizing the patient, who was then transported to a local hospital for further care.
The Lebanon Fire District recognized the efforts of the four employees during their March 11 board meeting, presenting them with honors for their life-saving actions. Fire Chief Joseph Rodondi praised the employees, highlighting the importance of early intervention in medical emergencies.
“A partnership with the community through early CPR, AED access, and prompt activation of 911 leads to successful outcomes,” said Chief Rodondi. “Without bystander CPR and early access to an AED, the outcome would have been very different.”
This incident serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of immediate action during medical emergencies. The Lebanon Fire District is encouraging the public to seek training in CPR and AED usage to be prepared for such critical moments.
The actions of Stratton, Escalera, Davis, and Vanepps-Fox reflect the significant impact that well-trained individuals can have in saving lives, especially in high-pressure situations where every second counts. Their quick thinking undoubtedly contributed to the positive outcome in this life-or-death situation.
