DETROIT – National EMS Week is shining a spotlight on the emergency workers who risk their lives to save others -- and in Detroit, one remarkable story of survival took center stage.
A special ceremony was held at the Detroit Institute of Arts to honor the city’s emergency medical services workers as part of National EMS Week celebrations.
‘Another chance’
Blake, 32, stood alongside the crew who helped keep her alive just three months ago -- a moment she said she doesn’t take for granted.
“My life really could’ve been gone, actually, and it feels good to wake up and have another chance,” Blake said.
On Feb. 18, Blake was shot in the arm and chest in Detroit. Her condition was critical.
“[She] was literally bleeding to death, had a collapsed lung that EMS had to fix, otherwise she would not have survived the 10-minute ride to the hospital,” said Detroit Emergency Medical Services Director Robert Dunne.
Six workers, one mission
Six EMS workers and a supervisor responded that night, working quickly to stabilize Blake before she ever reached the hospital.
Sinai Grace trauma surgeon Dr. Alex Marinica took over from there.
“Absolutely lifesaving -- the quick care, attention to detail, the recognition of how bad her injuries were and acting as quickly as they did is what saved her life,” Marinica said.
Unsung heroes
Dunne said life-saving moments like Blake’s are not rare for his crews -- he hears stories of exceptional care in the field every week.
“They’re there in the shadows a lot of the time -- they’re there for 20 minutes, but those 20 minutes make the difference in saving a life,” Dunne said.
The EMS crew that saved Blake was honored with the Kim L. Lifesaver of the Year Award -- one of the most prestigious recognitions an EMS provider can receive within the DEMCA system. The award is named in memory of Kim Lagerquist, a pioneering leader in Michigan emergency medicine.
Detroit Fire Department Paramedic Lt. Michael Vick, Firefighter/Paramedic William Campbell, Firefighter/EMT Travis VanGorder, Firefighter/EMT Reginald Street, Firefighter/Paramedic Andrew Martus, Firefighter/Paramedic Alexander Knell and Trial Firefighter/EMT Louis Delgado each received the honor at the ceremony.
Blake was on hand to personally thank the team.
“It’s actually very heartwarming to see them while I’m here. They saved my life -- I’ll always be forever grateful,” she said.
For Dunne, moments of recovery and reunion are exactly what fuel his team through the hardest days on the job.
“It’s cases like this that revive you and make you feel like somebody’s gotta be there to do it -- and that should be you,” he said.