911 call, citizen, police and
fire save man at golf course
 
8/4/07
 
On August 1 at 11:34 a.m., the Novi Police Department received a 911 call from the Novi Oaks Golf & Sports on Twelve Mile Road indicating that CPR was in progress for an unresponsive male near the golf driving range. The Novi Police Department was the first to respond to the scene. Novi PD was then assisted by the Novi Fire Department and Community EMS.

Officer Paul Stuligross arrived within three minutes of being dispatched, and  found a 62-year-old male visiting from Connecticut unresponsive and appearing to have suffered a cardiac arrest. Novi resident Greg Snider had already initiated CPR on the victim.

Officer Stuligross immediately administered the portable Automatic External Defibrillator (AED). He conducted one shock and then continued CPR with the assistance of Officer Christopher Lee. Officers Stuligross and Lee were relieved by personnel of the Novi Fire Department and CEMS.

The victim was transported to Providence Park Hospital in Novi, awake and in a stabilized condition. He was later transported to Providence Hospital in Southfield for further medical evaluation. Medical officials at Providence Hospital state the initial CPR performed by Mr. Snider and the AED shock administered by Novi police officers saved the victim’s life, allowing for advanced medical treatment.

In April 2002, with the approval of the Novi City Council, the Novi Police Department purchased AEDs for all police cars. AEDs are small portable devices that allow officers to effectively and accurately determine if a person requires intervention and administer the shock intended to restore the heart to a regular beat.

Research indicates that for every minute that passes, the chance for survival of a cardiac incident decreases by seven to 10 percent. And, although Fire Department and ambulance personnel remain the primary source of emergency medical care, most often it is police officers first on the scene.

"AEDs are proven to save lives and we have an excellent means of rapidly delivering that service to people in need by using police officers on patrol in our neighborhoods," notes David Molloy, Novi’s Chief of Police. "Equipping officers with AED’s and having them respond to calls of potential cardiac arrest gives strength to our commitment to providing the best possible emergency service to the citizens of Novi. This program greatly enhances the chance of survival. I commend Officer Stuligross and Officer Lee for their life-saving efforts and quick response to ensure the health and safety of this gentleman. I also would like to recognize and commend Novi resident Greg Snider for his heroic and dedicated deed. Absent his involvement and quick thinking, this incident could have had a tragic outcome.”

This is the third time Novi Police have saved someone using the in-car AEDs. Obviously, a worthwhile investment.