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Bend Fire Honors 'Life Saver Award' Recipients

BEND, OR -- Bend Fire & Rescue gave the 'Life Saver Award' Thursday to Deschutes County Dispatcher AJ Franzke and Jenae Cruikshank of Bend at a ceremony at the Bend Fire & Rescue administration building.

The department recognized the two for helping Cruikshank’s husband, Scott when he had a heart attack last year. It was also the first time Cruikshank met Franzke in person. She told him how much she appreciated the guidance he gave her family. “You told us every step of the way, and we couldn’t have done it without you, so thank you,” Cruikshank said addressing the gathered crowd of emergency responders who were on scene at the Cruikshank home  that day in July, “I didn’t expect any awards, I thought my award was having a husband still, so…I’m grateful for that.” 

Franzke guided Jenae and her daughter through CPR until paramedics arrived. “No matter what’s on the other end of the line, we have a pathway. We’re going to be able to help guide you to do CPR, and we’re going to be able to do some good while we send help fast to the right spot,” said Franzke, who has been with Deschutes County 911 for 13 years.

He credits his training, and Jenae and her daughter’s willingness to help, “The life savers did a fantastic job on the other end of the phone, and we were able to have this amazing day where we get to meet everybody.”

“These cardiac survival stories are becoming more and more common in Bend,” states Drew Norris, Deputy Chief of Emergency Medical Services. “If a cardiac arrest victim is given early CPR the chances of them positively responding to our advanced treatment is much more likely.” According to  Bend Fire & Rescue information, cardiac arrest survival rates are one of the tops in the nation. These survival numbers are due to a team effort that includes bystander CPR, Deschutes County 911 dispatch, Bend Police, and the cutting-edge training and life saving techniques of Bend Fire & Rescue paramedics.

 

 

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