Gloucester Fire, Police and AGH Officials to Discuss Record-Setting Use Of Compression System to Save Life

GLOUCESTER — Chief Eric Smith is pleased to announce that the Gloucester Fire Department, with assistance from doctors at Addison Gilbert Hospital, saved a man’s life who went into cardiac arrest by employing the revolutionary LUCAS 2 Chest Compression System — setting the record for the longest continual usage of the device in Massachusetts and New England.

“This is an extremely unique situation given the duration the LUCAS device was used. Through the miraculous high quality of care, advanced tools and science, this man was able to return home to his family,” Chief Smith said. “Everyone, from the public, to police, fire and doctors, worked as a team to provide the best possible care available. It demonstrates a true commitment to one another, our residents and community as a whole.”

WHEN

Friday, April 15 at 2 p.m.

WHERE

Gloucester Fire Station, 8 School St.

WHAT

On Feb. 23, at approximately 6:55 a.m., the fire department’s Engine 1 and Rescue 1 arrived at Shaw’s Supermarket, 127 Eastern Ave., after receiving a report of an unresponsive man who was not breathing. Store Manager Marcus Amann had called 911 after he found his employee had collapsed while working in the backroom.

Upon their arrival, firefighters encountered Gloucester Police Officer Robert Morrissey, who was performing CPR on a 56-year-old man, later identified as Alfred Kipp. Gloucester Firefighter Paramedics Doug Sherman and Jack Brancaleone placed a LUCAS 2 Chest Compression System on Kipp to assist with CPR at 7:03 a.m. The electronically powered device is designed to save the lives of those in cardiac arrest by maintaining a steady flow of oxygen to the heart and brain through uninterrupted chest compressions.

The Gloucester Fire Department provided Advanced Life Support care and transported Kipp to the Addison Gilbert Hospital, where they were met by Dr. Steven Krendel and Dr. Michael Arsenian. Firefighters Sherman and Brancaleone stayed on scene to assist and monitor the LUCAS device to ensure it remained powered at all times.

After two hours and 42 minutes with the LUCAS device and continuous care by physicians, Kipp regained a pulse at 9:45 a.m. — making this the second longest documented save with continual usage of the LUCAS in the country (the longest was in Minnesota at two hours and 45 minutes).

“One of the great things about the city of Gloucester is the spirit of community between its pre-hospital providers and Addison Gilbert,” said Krendel, Emergency Department Physician and EMS Medical Director for Addison Gilbert Hospital. “Mr. Kipp is alive because of the remarkable coordination of care he received every step of the way from the Gloucester Police Department, Fire Department, Addison Gilbert’s Emergency Department staff and its Cardiology group. It was a tremendous group effort.”

Once stabilized, Kipp was taken by MedFlight to Lahey Hospital and Medical Center in Burlington for further care. Approximately two weeks later, he was released after making a full recovery.