First responders recognized for saving man's life
Officer Joseph Kaufman (left) receiving Ponderay Life Saving Award. Sergeant Jeremy Deal (right).
(Photo by EMILY BONSANT)
▶️ Listen to this article now.
PONDERAY — Officer Joseph Kaufman was recognized Monday at the Ponderay City Council meeting for his role in helping save the life of a city resident.
Kaufman was presented the Ponderay Life Saving Award for his actions and first responders received recognition for their roles as well at Monday’s meeting.
Sergeant Jeremy Deal of Ponderay Police Department presented the award.
In July, a man at Kootenai Bay Road was electrocuted when using a wood burning tool. When his relatives called 911, the report came out that a gunshot, not a shocking, had occurred. County officers were dispatched, said Deal.
“Officer Kaufmann hearing the call knowing he was the closest, responded on his own along with medics. Upon his arrival, he began CPR taking over for a family member that was actually tired at the time,” Deal said. “Zach was actually clinically dead. His heart was in a rhythm that wasn't going to allow him to stay alive.”
Emergency Medical Services crews who responded to the scene ended up medically shocking the man several times. He ended up being taken by helicopter to a medical facility where he recovered, said Deal.
“Thanks to Officer Kaufman, our medics and firefighters, Zach is here with us today. And between Zack and I, we'd like to present Officer Kaufman with the Ponderay Life Saving Award,” said Deal.
After giving the award, Zach thanked and embraced Kaufman and the firefighters who responded and who helped save his life.
“I just like to say thank you to everyone who was there, my family and I can never repay what you guys did for me. I'm here today because of all of you. Thank you,” said Zach.
City Council member and Northside Fire Chief Brad Mitton also gave an award to Lt. Eric Parker and Capt. Steve Zukus of Northside Fire and all the other first responders.
“I would like to formally express my sincere gratitude for the amazing work that you and Bonner County, EMS and the Ponderay Police have done. Without all of you taking control and putting outstanding patient care for one of our own citizens in our community, this 911 call on Kootenai Bay Road would have never had the outcome it did,” said Mitton.
Everyone's amazing hard work and expertise in doing this was not only outstanding, but will not go without being noticed for what you have done for one of our community members, said Mitton.
“Without your willingness to put other work aside and take on such a great responsibility and workload, we would not have had the outcome of this call. It was nothing less than incredible,” said Mitton.