MAYNARD — Members of the Maynard Fire Department were honored with a citation of recognition during a Select Board meeting at Town Hall on Tuesday, Oct. 15, 2024, for their role in saving a man’s life last month.
According to a statement from Maynard’s Fire Chief Angela Lawless, on Sept. 5, 2024, Maynard firefighters were dispatched to an urgent care on Parker Street after receiving reports that an adult male was suffering from a heart attack.
When firefighters arrived on scene, they found Tom Viscariello on the floor of the lobby and quickly prepared him for transport to a nearby hospital. However, as they were leaving the parking lot, Viscariello became unconscious. The firefighters quickly began CPR and used an Automatic External Defibrillator (AED) to stabilize him before successfully transporting him to the hospital.
“Due to the quick actions and attentiveness of firefighters and paramedics, Viscariello was able to make a full recovery and was discharged two days after the incident,” Chief Lawless said in her statement, adding that Viscariello reached out to her personally to thank the firefighters for saving his life.
“My recovery has been remarkable, as I walked out of Lahey Clinic less than 48 hours later with one stent and a great prognosis. I am alive today because of the efforts of many, but due to the Maynard Fire Department,” said Viscariello.
Viscariello attended the ceremony on Tuesday to thank the first responders in person. The citation of recognition was awarded to Maynard Fire Captain Craig Desjardins, Firefighter Niccole Chiasson, Firefighter Eric Frechette, Firefighter Travis Gross, Firefighter Brian Kramer, Firefighter Alan Portis, Dispatcher Sarah Barakat, and Emerson Hospital Paramedic Joel Jacobson.
