By Luke Parker
Capital Gazette
ANNAPOLIS, Md. — Eight staff members and administrators at Wiley H. Bates Middle School were awarded civilian citations of merit Wednesday morning after restoring the heartbeat of a 12-year-old student in cardiac arrest earlier this year.
According to a news release, on May 30, the 12-year-old collided with another student in gym class. After they fell, the student stopped breathing.
Annapolis Fire officials said staff members worked together to alert authorities and administer life-saving measures. They performed CPR and one employee used a defibrillator, successfully restoring the student’s heartbeat, according to the release.
When emergency crews arrived, they found the student in the care of faculty with a strong pulse and stable vital signs, fire officials said. The student was taken to an area hospital, and then a children’s hospital in stable condition.
Noting the “often … unnoticed” pressures on school workers to ensure the safety of their students, the Annapolis Fire Department honored Principal Katherine Hicks, assistant principals Kathleen Adkins and Joe Lustgarten, guidance counselor Danielle Weiss, nurse Carrie Moran, nurse assistant Michele Kelley, gym teacher Hayden Lambert and science teacher Dawn Kayton with certificates during an early morning faculty meeting.
Fire Chief Douglas Remaley presented the citations of merit alongside Ward 3 Alderwoman Rhonda Pindell-Charles, a mayoral candidate and the city council’s current public safety chair, deputy chiefs Nathan Powell IV and Matthew Lopez, as well as Lt. Matthew Lund.
“This is stuff our staff has to go through all the time,” said Remaley. “I ask the men and women of the Annapolis Fire Department to go out and see things people should never have to see. And we know it’s even more difficult when it’s a juvenile or a young member that we come across.”
“Leadership matters,” said Pindell-Charles, who attended classes in the building when it was an all-Black high school, adding, “We are very proud.”
Speaking generally, the chief said Annapolis emergency workers can reach anywhere in the city within 5 minutes, but acknowledged whatever measures are taken immediately after cardiac arrest are critical. According to the American Heart Association, a person’s chances of surviving cardiac arrest fall upwards of 10% for every minute CPR is delayed.
“It is because of the efforts of the people here … [there was] a successful outcome,” said Remaley.
Remaley says the Annapolis Fire Department preaches and recommends CPR training for everyone. To learn more about class schedules and training opportunities, complete the form at annapolis.gov/205/Save-a-Life-CPR-Class or email CPR@annapolis.gov.
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