Officer of the Month — DAVID COLBREE
GREENWICH POLICE DEPARTMENT
11 BRUCE PLACE
GREENWICH, CT 06830
203-622-8000
James J. Heavey Mark A. Marino
CHIEF OF POLICE DEPUTY CHIEF OF POLICE
Press Release
For Immediate Release
Submitted by: Lt Kraig Gray
Email: kgray@greenwichct.org
Date: September 6, 2014
Officer of the Month
August, 2014
MPO David Colbree
On August 6, 2014, MPO David Colbree was dispatched to the New York Sports Club on a report of a subject in cardiac arrest. He was the first emergency worker to arrive on the scene and discovered that medical assistance was being administered to the patient by a civilian Good Samaritan who had some training in CPR. An assessment revealed that the patient was not breathing and did not have a pulse. MPO Colbree utilizing his medical training and issued equipment shocked the patient with an Automatic External Defibrillator (AED) and continued CPR per the protocol. This patient survived the cardiac arrest due to immediate CPR, quick application of the AED, and the superior pre-hospital care by all first responders and especially MPO Colbree.
“Our department is always striving to provide superior police services and at the GPD, that includes emergency medical care. In this instance MPO Colbree’s professional demeanor, decisive action, and medical knowledge all came together to insure the best possible outcome for the patient. On behalf of the patient, his family, and the community I commend your actions.”
The Town of Greenwich is structured to mirror the “Chain of Survival” concept as endorsed by the American Heart Association.
The cardiac arrest save of August 6, 2014 in one of our public health clubs is an excellent illustration of this fact. A trained bystander started CPR on an adult who was in the midst of his normal workout. The call was made to the E911 communication center that is staffed by civilian Dispatchers who receive and dispatch all Fire, EMS and Police calls. A Greenwich Police Officer arrived in minutes with an Automated External Defibrillator [AED] and successfully delivered one electrical shock to his heart. Greenwich Emergency Medical Service [GEMS] paramedics followed and initiated advanced life support treatments including medications to stabilize the patient’s newly restored heart rhythm. The patient was then transported by GEMS to the awaiting team at Greenwich Hospital’s Emergency Department.
While the national average for successful resuscitations in the out of hospital setting hovers around 9%, stories like this are not rare in Greenwich. In 2013, Greenwich’s “save rate” was 40%.
This trend towards success in the treatment of cardiac arrests began in 1997, when AED’s were introduced into our first response system. The Greenwich Police Department embraced this enhancement of their vital role as medical first responders, and 5 cardiac arrest victims were saved within the first 6 months of this new program. Today, all police cars and patrol boats carry these devices and all police officers have extensive training in their use.
Art Romano
Deputy Director
Greenwich Emergency Medical Services (GEMS).
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GPD has one hundred fifty five sworn officers, serving a community of 61,000, within approximately 67.2 square miles.
Lieutenant Kraig Gray
Public Information Officer
Tel: 203-622-3620, Fax: 203-618-8866
kgray@greenwichct.org
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Submitted by: Lt Kraig Gray
Email: kgray@greenwichct.org
Date: September 6, 2014
Officer of the Month
August, 2014
MPO David Colbree