October 23, 2020
Media Contact:
Scott Peterson, Director of Communications, Office of Public Information, 202-277-9412
ELLICOTT CITY, MD – Today, County Executive Calvin Ball was joined by Fire Chief Bill Anuszewski, Recreation & Parks Director Raul Delerme, and Fire and Rescue Services Medical Director Dr. Matthew Levy to recognize multiple Roger Carter Community Center (RCCC) employees and a fellow swimmer who saved a Howard County resident’s life last month. Photos of the event can be found here. Video of the rescue and recording of the 911 dispatch call can be found here.
“The actions that took place to save a life here were heroic,” said County Executive Calvin Ball. “Everyone’s quick response to someone in need is a testament to the training and character of this team. As a community, we could not be more grateful to have these courageous individuals serving Howard County residents and ensuring the safety of all who walk through their doors.”
On September 28, at little after 7:30 a.m., RCCC member Nicholas Caloyianis discovered a fellow swimmer in distress in the adjacent lap lane. Once notified, pool manager Abdullah Tyler activated the center’s Emergency Action Plan with the assistance of lifeguard David Gostomski. Together, they performed CPR compressions, rescue breaths and used the on-site AED defibrillator twice. During this time, facility leader Marcellus Barley called 911 and led emergency personnel through the center. PFC Jacob Lorentson responded to the call from dispatch and assisted with life-saving CPR compressions. By the time Fire & Rescue Services were on the scene, the distressed swimmer was revived, and subsequently transported to Howard County General Hospital.
“This event is living proof that, together, we can make a difference,” said Fire Chief William Anuszewski. “It really takes a partnership between our community and our public safety – both fire and police, to have these favorable outcomes and Howard County is a model of success for this.”
“We are here today to recognize our trained staff and local citizen and good Samaritan,” said Director of Recreation & Parks Raul Delerme. “Their quick heroic action and the ability to stay calm throughout the rescue to save another’s life is impressive.”
"For every minute that someone is in sudden cardiac arrest, their chance of survival decreases by 10 percent,” said Fire & Rescue Services Medical Director Dr. Matthew Levy. "Therefore, we go to great lengths to help ensure that systems are in place to give residents and visitors the knowledge and power to intervene by recognizing sudden cardiac arrest, to take immediate action, and ultimately help save lives.”
All Roger Carter staff are required to be CPR and First Aid certified. Aquatics staff receive an additional 20+ hours of in-service training each year including skill refinement, pool safety and operations, team building and physical fitness training. Howard County Fire & Rescue Services also provides free CPR community classes for residents who may be interested. Howard County Recreation & Parks also offers CPR, AED and First Aid certification classes.
“It takes a team, you can’t do these things alone,” said Abdulluah Tyler, Assistant Pool Manager at Roger Carter. “You need someone to call 9-1-1 and another to assist with CPR, first aid, and the AED.”
“If we did not work together so well and did not have the training we were given the situation may not have been so successful,” said David Gostomski, lifeguard at Roger Carter. “
“Once I was able to access the situation, I called 9-1-1,” said Marcellus Barley, Facility Leader at Roger Carter. “Our training kept us all on the same page of what to do.”