How To Save A Life

L-R Undersheriff Palmiter, Life EMS Supervisor David Norton, Britttany Escalante, Austyn Escalante, Sgt Jose Escalante, Jaxson Escalante, Sheriff Mendham- Photo by Jodie McGarry

NCSO Sergeant's quick actions avert tragedy

At the regular meeting of the Newaygo County Board of Commissioners Sergeant Jose Escalante was presented with the Life Saving Award for his fast thinking action that prevented what was certain to be a grim result if not for his intervention in the situation.

Presenting the award were Sheriff Bob Mendham, Undersheriff Chad Palmiter and Life EMS Supervisor David Norton. Undersheriff Palmiter read the following:
“On August 8th Sgt Escalante was a customer at the Lumber yard on Maple Island when one of the workers collapsed and went into cardiac arrest.  Jose was recognized and summoned to the man where he immediately assessed the patient, recognized he was in cardiac arrest and began high quality CPR! Jose was performing CPR by himself prior to EMS arrival for approx. 9 minutes, EMS and Jose were able to resuscitate the patient after one shock and 2 more minutes of CPR. The patient was awake and alert for EMS transport. Had Jose not acted quickly and performed such high-quality compressions we have no doubt this outcome would have been tragic.
“Sgt Escalante deserves recognition for his skill and determination to save a life.”

With family, friends, co-workers and the man whose life he saved in attendance Sergeant Escalante received a well deserved standing ovation from the crowd.
The Life Saving Award may be presented to any Sheriff’s Office employee, who takes active measures to save the life of another person, when the death of that person was imminent, and the victim survives, or his life was extended by virtue of the actions taken.