The American Red Cross recently presented Certificates of Extraordinary Personal Action to 11 Montgomery Township employees and first responders for steps they took to save a resident’s life in March 2023.  

The incident began when Montgomery Township Recreation Center employee Angelina Capozzi discovered that a guest who had been playing pickle ball was sitting in a chair unconscious. She immediately activated the 9-1-1 system and began offering care.

The guest went into cardiac arrest as Montgomery Township Police Officer Pete Byrne arrived on the scene. He and Angelina moved the person to the ground and began CPR. Police Captain Andrew Backland arrived while CPR was being administered and began directing patient care.

Next, firefighters from Squad 18 arrived on the scene and took over CPR. Jake Weltman managed the patient’s airway, while Eoghan Lowry and Harry Reese took turns doing chest compressions. Anthony Rubas attached the AED and delivered one shock, restoring the patient’s pulse before the ambulance arrived.

Paramedics Amanda Csanady, T.J. Stressman, Jon Schwartz and John Ardiff took over patient care and transported him to the hospital. Thanks to the collective efforts of everyone involved, the patient survived.

Laura Burke, interim executive of the Red Cross Delaware Valley Chapter, presented the 11 awardees with a certificate and pin during a Montgomery Township Board of Supervisors meeting on Aug. 14, 2023.

Lifesaving Awards program

The Certificate of Extraordinary Personal Action is awarded to people who step forward in an emergency situation to help save or sustain a human life. It is one of four awards given as part of the Red Cross Lifesaving Awards program. To nominate and recognize a person or group who has taken action to save or sustain a life, visit LifesavingAwards.org.

PHOTO: Laura Burke, interim executive of the Red Cross Delaware Valley Chapter, presents Certificates of Extraordinary Personal Action to Montgomery Township employees and first responders at the Montgomery Township Board of Supervisors meeting on Aug. 14, 2023. Photo by Alana Mauger / American Red Cross

- Written by Alana Mauger