The Roseville City Council honored eleven Roseville and Maplewood firefighters for saving the life of a toddler who suffered a cardiac arrest. Thanks to their efforts, the youngster has made a full recovery.
Roseville Mayor Dan Roe and Fire Chief David Brosnahan presented the Roseville Fire Department Life-Saving Award to the group for their heroic actions on Aug. 27.
“We perform lifesaving procedures on a regular basis, but every once in a while, an incident such as this occurs and we want to stop and recognize the heroic efforts of our first responders,” Chief Brosnahan said.
Roseville Firefighters responded to a call of a one-year-old with difficulty breathing at 3 p.m. at a residence on Rice St. While in route, the 911 dispatchers notified them the young patient had gone into cardiac arrest. 
“When firefighters arrived, the 20-month-old patient was in their father’s arms out in front of the building unconscious and not breathing,” Brosnahan said. “The father handed the patient to first responders.”
Firefighter/EMT Dave Doucot quickly checked for a pulse. Feeling no pulse, Doucot started pediatric CPR. Firefighter/Paramedic Brian Smith began to administer advanced life support including an advanced airway to supply oxygen to the child.
“Moments after those interventions were completed, the child’s pulse returned and the child began to breathe on their own,” Brosnahan said.
Maplewood Fire crews arrived and assisted Roseville. The young child was transported to the hospital via ambulance and has made a full recovery.
“Imagine carrying a lifeless child and immediately handing him or her to a stranger in uniform,” Brosnahan said. “This is what it’s all about. This is the definition of saving a life.”
The Roseville Fire Department Life-Saving Award was awarded to:
Roseville Firefighter/EMT Dave Doucot
Roseville Firefighter/Paramedic Bryan Smith
Roseville Firefighter/Paramedic Zach Rickman
Roseville Firefighter/EMT Jarod Henderson
Roseville Firefighter/Inspector Chris DuBay
Roseville Lieutenant/ Paramedic Cody Thornberg
Maplewood Fire Captain TJ DaBruzzi
Maplewood Firefighter/Paramedic Tanner Cook
Maplewood Firefighter/Paramedic Eric Zappa
Maplewood Firefighter/EMT Nathan Beitler
Maplewood Firefighter/EMT Ryan Hang