On Thursday, August 20, at about 6:30 p.m., firefighters from station 9, group 3, raced to the François Perrault public swimming pool, in the Villeray–Saint-Michel–Parc-Extension Borough, to help a child in distress. The first information received by the Montréal fire department (SIM) was that the boy was unconscious and not breathing.
The lifeguards had already started working on the youngster, and the firefighters rushed to join them. The child had no pulse. Without losing a second, the team of first-response firefighters took over and continued resuscitation efforts. Captain Christian Robidoux (9-3) and firefighters Sylvain Dominique (9-3), Charles Nantel (9-3) and Carl Turmel (40-2) all took part.
Fortunately, the boy’s heart started beating again. The Urgences-santé paramedic ambulance technicians arrived soon afterwards. The firefighters continued to help, and one firefighter rode with the team in the ambulance that took the child to the hospital.
The chain of survival
Quick intervention by first responders is a key factor in saving lives. Congratulations to everyone who played essential roles in this incident, including Captain Christian Robidoux (9-3) and firefighters Sylvain Dominique (9-3), Charles Nantel (9-3) and Carl Turmel (40-2).
With input from René Thomassin, Chief of Operations 138-9, and Martine Cyr, head of quality assurance and development with the SIM’s first response and specialized operations division.
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