The Calvert County Board of County Commissioners has honored the Southern Pines Emergency Response Team with the prestigious Team Excellence Award. The recognition, announced recently, highlights the team’s life-saving actions during a critical incident in June 2024.
The team consists of Melinda Gaines and Anne Sledge from the Department of Community Resources, Office on Aging Division, and Vera Johnson and Diane Griffin from Calvert County Parks and Recreation. The four individuals were recognized for their quick response and coordination when a participant in the Southern Pines fitness room collapsed and became unresponsive on June 12, 2024.
Melinda Gaines was the first to respond, assessing the situation and immediately initiating CPR. She also made the critical call to 911. Anne Sledge quickly joined her in administering CPR, ensuring continuous aid while help was on the way. Meanwhile, Vera Johnson and Diane Griffin rushed to retrieve the automated external defibrillator (AED), an essential tool in cardiac emergencies.
The coordinated efforts of these four team members kept the participant alive long enough for emergency medical services (EMS) to arrive on the scene. Their immediate response was instrumental in stabilizing the individual, who was later transferred to medical professionals for further care.
The EMS team who arrived at the scene later commended the Southern Pines Emergency Response Team for their decisive actions. They credited the group’s quick thinking and well-executed teamwork as vital factors in saving the participant’s life. “Their dedication and commitment to safety played a crucial role in the successful outcome of this incident,” EMS representatives stated, underscoring the life-saving importance of the team’s actions.
This recognition by the Calvert County Board of County Commissioners underscores the value of preparedness and teamwork in emergency situations. The board’s Team Excellence Award is given to groups who demonstrate extraordinary dedication to their roles, and the Southern Pines Emergency Response Team’s actions on June 12 embody the spirit of the award.
The Team Excellence Award highlights how training and readiness can make a critical difference in emergency situations. The event serves as a reminder of the importance of CPR and AED training in public spaces, especially in fitness and recreational facilities where health emergencies can occur without warning.
In congratulating the Southern Pines Emergency Response Team, the Board of County Commissioners praised their efforts, stating, “The teamwork displayed by this group is a model of how quick actions and cooperation can lead to positive outcomes in life-threatening situations.”
The Southern Pines Emergency Response Team’s actions demonstrate the significant impact of public servants who are prepared to act swiftly in critical moments. Their coordinated response and unwavering dedication to the well-being of the community highlight the importance of teamwork and training in emergency situations.
The Calvert County community has lauded the team’s efforts, and this award brings attention to the vital role of CPR and AED training in saving lives. Congratulations to the Southern Pines Emergency Response Team for their well-deserved recognition.
