BSO Weston Police and Fire Rescue Responders 
Thanked In Person by the Patient They Saved 

Weston City Commission Meeting of June 2, 2025 - Presentation by Chief of Police Sam Cavalieri

Thank you for the opportunity to recognize and highlight the exceptional efforts and dedication of our first responders.  Tonight, it is my honor to recognize and acknowledge the extraordinary lifesaving efforts of Weston District, Deputy Kirby Dingcong, along with Weston Fire Rescue personnel, EMS Supervisor Brent Edwards, Lieutenant Scott Mobley, Firefighter/Paramedic Michael Warren, and Firefighter/Paramedic Todd Brady for the Employees of the Month, June 2025.

On the evening of Tuesday, April 15^th, Deputy Kirby Dingcong, along with Rescue 67 responded to a medical emergency call involving a 61-year-old male patient who was found unconscious and not breathing by a family member.  Arriving first on scene, Deputy Dingcong assessed the patient and confirmed he was unconscious and not breathing.  Deputy Dingcong assumed CPR chest compressions from the family member, as Rescue 67 arrived on scene.  Working together as a team, Deputy Dingcong continued chest compressions as paramedics established an EKG cardiac monitor, confirming that the patient was in cardiac arrest, and in a very dangerous rhythm known as Ventricular Fibrillation, or V-fib.  V-fib is a serious life-threatening heart condition where the heartbeat becomes chaotic, causing the ventricles to quiver or shake, instead of pumping blood normally throughout the body.

V-fib requires immediate treatment, usually by an AED, to shock the heart back into normal rhythm.  In this case, Paramedics assessed the patient’s condition and delivered three shocks, causing the heart to successfully convert to a fast heart rate.  The patient began to breath independently and was quickly transported to Cleveland Clinic Hospital to an awaiting cardiac team.

Chief Draizin and I often highlight and recognize the incredible lifesaving efforts of our first responders, emphasizing the goal to provide high quality medical care in the field, which dramatically increases the survival rate and quality of life after the medical event.                   

Thanks to the high-quality care provided on scene in this case, I’m happy to report that our patient, Mr. Marcelo Colella, is here with us tonight, and is recovering well, and on the road to regaining his full health. 

For their outstanding professionalism and dedication in serving this city, and protecting our residents, it is my honor to recognize Deputy Kirby Dingcong, EMS Supervisor Brent Edwards, Lieutenant Scott Mobley, Firefighter/Paramedic Michael Warren, and Firefighter/Paramedic Todd Brady for the Employees of the Month, June 2025.

 Mr. Colella then shared his heartfelt appreciation with the crew, the City Commission and the audience in a very emotional speech which included how grateful he is for the
 life-saving efforts of the first responders. 

He spoke to his son, who had just recently learned CPR, thankfully in time for it to became a part of the chain of survival that would ultimately save his own father. 

During his final remarks about BSO's responders, Mr. Colella tearfully stated, "they did not just do their job, they saved my life".