TEWKSBURY, MA — On November 25 at 8:15 p.m., dispatchers at the Northern Middlesex Regional Emergency Communications Center (NMRECC) played a crucial role during a medical emergency in South Tewksbury, involving an unresponsive male at a private residence.
When the 911 call came in, Dispatcher Kate O’Connell was met with limited information: the patient was on the ground, lying on his side, with unknown breathing and consciousness status. Recognizing the urgency, Kate calmly guided the caller step-by-step to safely reposition the patient onto his back, allowing for a more precise assessment. Once repositioned, using the Breathing Diagnostic Tool within the EMD protocol, Kate determined that the patient was not breathing effectively and that CPR would be required.
Meanwhile, Supervisor John Jouvelis, who was dispatching for Tewksbury Fire, and Shift Supervisor Joey Aberle coordinated a swift response. Tewksbury Fire units from the South Station arrived in roughly two minutes after the call was received, quickly followed by Tewksbury Police. Their rapid arrival allowed first responders to initiate hands-on CPR immediately and continue advanced life-saving measures.
Although responders ultimately performed the physical CPR, the early, precise actions of NMRECC dispatchers, including repositioning guidance, rapid breathing assessment, and swift resource coordination, set the stage for the positive outcome that followed.
On Thanksgiving Day, November 27, Supervisor Aberle received a call from the patient’s daughter-in-law expressing her gratitude and sharing an uplifting update: the patient had been extubated, was awake, and was in stable condition, just two days after the emergency.
This meaningful update highlighted the impact of everyone involved, from the caller who followed instructions, to the dispatchers who acted quickly and decisively, to the first responders who arrived within moments.
Kate and John were also recently recognized for life-saving actions in another medical emergency in Dracut, further showcasing their continued dedication and expertise.
Executive Director Brian O’Neill praised the team’s professionalism, stating, “This incident illustrates the power of teamwork and the skill of our dispatchers. Kate, John, and Joey demonstrated exemplary performance, and their actions contributed directly to a positive outcome for this family. We’re incredibly proud of the work they do every day.”
This event serves as a reminder of the critical, and often unseen, role dispatchers play in emergencies. Their immediate actions lay the foundation for successful outcomes long before first responders arrive on scene.