Media Release - Northumberland County hosts ninth annual Survivor Night honouring first responders and cardiac arrest survivors
Media Release
Cobourg, ON – October 23, 2024 – Last night, first responders and survivors of cardiac arrest came together for the ninth annual Survivor Night ceremony. During this event, Lightning Bolt Awards were presented to 95 first responders in recognition of their outstanding efforts in supporting the successful resuscitation of individuals experiencing out-of-hospital cardiac arrests in 2023.
Hosted by Northumberland Paramedics, Survivor Night serves as a meaningful opportunity to reconnect survivors and families with first responders who attended their emergency. Survivors like Mike Efford, who collapsed while out for a walk with his wife. Or Christopher Case, who woke from sleep with severe chest pain and required urgent assistance. Or Kirk Lewis, who experienced a heaviness in his chest while working in his yard.
In all, 19 stories of survival were shared last evening, each reflecting a Chain of Survival involving collaboration between bystanders, and different emergency service organizations, leading to positive health outcomes.
“We are incredibly proud of the work our first responders do every day,” states Northumberland Paramedics Chief Susan Brown. “Each year, Northumberland emergency services teams respond to tens of thousands of calls for help. Events like Survivor Night allow us to formally recognize the life-saving impacts of these first responders, and celebrate the strong community bonds formed through these critical encounters.”
Northumberland County Councillor Mandy Martin, delivering remarks on behalf of Council, echoed this sentiment, saying, “Our first responders are a key pillar of our community’s safety and well-being. Their commitment to serving the public under immense pressure is truly remarkable. Survivor Night not only highlights the training and expertise of these professionals, but also serves as a testament to the fact that when we need them most, as a community – they will be there to answer the call.”
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For more information:
Kate Campbell
Director, Communications and Information Technology
Northumberland County
Phone: 905-372-3329 x2335
Email: campbellk@northumberland.ca
Web: www.northumberland.ca
About Northumberland County
Located on the traditional territory of the Mississauga, Northumberland County is a thriving community just one hour east of Toronto along Highway 401, with easy access to urban centres to the north, east and west. As the upper tier level of municipal government for the region, Northumberland County’s vision is to bring together people, partnerships and possibilities for a strong and vibrant Northumberland. Our community includes seven distinct yet complementary municipalities, with County Council comprised of the Mayors of each of these member municipalities:
• Township of Alnwick/Haldimand
• Municipality of Brighton
• Town of Cobourg
• Township of Cramahe
• Township of Hamilton
• Municipality of Port Hope
• Municipality of Trent Hills
Survivor Mike Efford with first responder team
Survivor Christopher Case with first responder team
Survivor Kirk Lewis with first responder team