GLOUCESTER — (Video) Chief Eric Smith is pleased to announce that the Gloucester Fire Department, along with representatives from Addison Gilbert Hospital, gathered today to meet the man whose life they saved in February after he went into cardiac arrest. First responders used the revolutionary LUCAS 2 Chest Compression System to keep the Gloucester resident alive — setting the record for the longest continual usage of the device in Massachusetts and New England.
“It was a team effort from the very beginning,” Chief Smith said. “We are so grateful to have the LUCAS device at our disposal, as it provided nonstop compressions. Coupled with the high quality of care, this man is alive today.”
Officials gathered at the Gloucester Fire Station, 8 School St. on Friday, April 15 to share the story of Alfred Kipp’s recovery.
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).
“This was a truly miraculous event. From the initial 911 call from Shaw’s Store Manager Marcus Amann, to the immediate response by police and fire, along with the emergency staff at AGH, everyone worked together to keep Mr. Kipp alive,” said Krendel, Emergency Department Physician and EMS Medical Director for Addison Gilbert Hospital. “This is a rare occurrence that was made possible with assistance from the LUCAS device, which performed perfect, sustained compressions for nearly three hours.”
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.
Those in attendance at the press conference included:
• Alfred Kipp
• Gloucester Fire Chief Eric Smith
• Gloucester Police Chief Leonard Campanello
• Dr. Steven Krendel, AGH
• Gloucester Mayor Sefatia Romeo Theken
• Gloucester Fire EMS Coordinator Sander Schultz
• Fire Captain Jamie Santos
• Firefighter Paramedic Doug Sherman
• Firefighter Paramedic Jack Brancaleone
• Firefighter Robert Grover
• Firefighter David Lovett
• Firefighter Michael Sonia
• Firefighter Andrew Pierce
• Gloucester Police Officer Robert Morrissey
• Shaw’s Store Manager Marcus Amann
