Caption: Survivor Wilfred Vienot (ninth from left, front row) with first responders from Lindsay Central Ambulance Communications Centre, Cobourg Fire Department, Northumberland Paramedics, and neighbours who helped save his life in 2024.
Ten years of lifesaving teamwork and hope was celebrated Monday night as first responders, survivors, and community members gathered for the tenth annual Survivor Night ceremony, hosted by Northumberland County.
The event honoured the heartbeats restored after cardiac arrest and recognized the first responders and citizens who played vital roles in those rescues. This year, 85 first responders were formally acknowledged for their efforts in the successful resuscitation of 14 individuals who suffered out-of-hospital cardiac arrests in 2024.
One of those survivors, Wilfred Vienot, shared his story of survival after collapsing at home last year. Thanks to the quick action of bystanders who began CPR, neighbours, ambulance dispatchers, firefighters, and paramedics worked together to save his life. Vienot attended the ceremony to personally thank and present certificates to those who helped him, a moment that highlighted the strength of what’s known as the Chain of Survival – the sequence of steps that gives cardiac arrest victims the best chance of recovery.
“Every life saved is a powerful reminder of the dedication and skill of our first responders,” said Northumberland Paramedics Chief Susan Brown, noting the essential role community members play in recognizing cardiac emergencies and performing CPR.
Warden Brian Ostrander added that Survivor Night celebrates not only courage in crisis but also “the readiness and resilience built through partnerships, training, and trust.”
(Written by: Joseph Goden)
