On Wednesday afternoon, a ceremony was held at the Standish Hannaford Supermarket to honor a few of their associates who helped save a woman’s life in the store a few weeks ago.
Standish Fire Chief Martin Jordan, with Town Manager Gordon Billington and Town Council Chairperson Cindy Hopkins looking on, presented the associates with certificates of appreciation.
“The staff of Hannaford should be recognized for their valiant efforts as they go to work daily not to save lives but to serve the needs of the community,” said Chief Jordan. “The action taken by those involved shows their selfless nature and a 46-year-old woman is alive today because of it. You did this with great discretion and professionalism that was of great assistance to the EMS team and Deputy Sheriff James Estabrook.”
The incident took place the morning of Tuesday, July 12 when business as usual came to a halt after a woman collapsed at the Standish supermarket.
When Hannaford associates Deborah Dow and Lisa Olsen heard a crash in aisle 17 of the store, they rushed over to find a woman, who has chosen to remain anonymous, lying unconscious on the floor. She wasn’t breathing and had no pulse.
Dow and Olsen quickly called over Hannaford’s seafood manager Chris Harmon and pharmacy technician Mary Trott. Immediately, one of the employees called E-911.
While they waited for Emergency Medical Services (EMS) to arrive, Harmon and Trott began cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) on the victim. Harmon knew CPR as part of his volunteer firefighter training. Trott had learned it in Girl Scouts.
As the two employees administered CPR and rescue breathing, staff members Greg Bartholomae, Fred Brooks, and Karen Terrio kept back the crowds and provided assistance as needed.
When Vicky Stevens and Brent Libby from EMS arrived, they took over resuscitation efforts. As the team rushed the woman to Maine Medical Center, her heart began beating once again and she started breathing.
Today, she is out of the hospital and walking around because of the prompt attention she received by the Hannaford employees.
Their “action preserved the vital organs of the female patient for the immediate intervention of advanced life support,” said Chief Jordan. “She knows the job you people did – she’s here because of everybody.”
Standish Hannaford employees receive a commendation from Fire Chief Martin Jordan and the town. Pictured, from left, are Town Manager Gordon Billington, Town Council Chairwoman Cindy Hopkins, Jordan, Deborah Dow, Greg Bartholomae, EMT Aaron Riley, Lisa Olsen, Mary Trott, Fred Broods, EMT Kristina Mains, Chris Harmon, SheriffSend questions/comments to the editors.
