September 12, 2008
RICHMOND- The British Columbia Ambulance Service (BCAS) presented three Vital Link Awards and three Good Samaritan Awards to local heroes today to recognize their actions in saving a life.
On June 8, 2008, Albert Strnad was leaving the Save-on-Foods on Ackroyd Street in Richmond when he collapsed. Operations Manager Donato Capozzi was the first aid attendant on duty and immediately recognized the signs of cardiac arrest. With the BCAS Emergency Medical Dispatcher (EMD) on the phone assisting him, Capozzi started chest compressions while fellow colleague, Lynn Koyzan, performed ventilations.
Capozzi was thankful when Margaret Chong, an off-duty Cardiac Surgical nurse, also assisted with compressions until BCAS paramedics arrived and took over the patient's care.
