Local Nurse Survives Cardiac Arrest, Community Honors Life Saving Team
Seminole County Fire Department honored citizen rescuers and station crews after a June cardiac arrest at a Forest Lake Academy basketball game resulted in a successful resuscitation. The recognition underscores the life changing impact of bystander CPR, public access AEDs, and rapid emergency response for local residents.
Seminole County officials and the family of a recovered patient gathered December 2 to honor the medical professionals, bystanders and fire crews whose quick actions saved a Seminole County resident after a sudden cardiac arrest. The event recognized both citizen responders and Station 13 personnel for their role in a June 4 incident at a pickup basketball game.
On June 4, 32 year old HCA nurse Randy Rahming collapsed on the court after making a basket and went into cardiac arrest. Two fellow players who are medical professionals, Dr. Matthew Daulley an emergency physician at AdventHealth and Sy Gilmore, immediately began hands only CPR while physician assistant Ronaldo Green located the nearest automated external defibrillator and directed bystanders to call 911. Daulley used the AED to deliver a shock that restored a pulse, and Seminole County Fire Department Station 13 crews arrived within three minutes to begin advanced lifesaving measures. Rahming was treated at AdventHealth and later recovered enough to attend the awards ceremony.
The department presented Citizen Life Saving Awards to Dr. Matthew Daulley and Sy Gilmore. Life Saving Awards went to members of Station 13 including Rescue 13 firefighter paramedic Jacob Burkhart and firefighter Aiden McElroy, Tower 13 lieutenant Paul Parisi and engineer paramedic Nicholas Norelli, and firefighter Tyler Crain. Rahming, who is originally from Jamaica, said the experience inspired him to pursue cardiology and that he is forever grateful for everyone who helped save his life.
The incident highlights concrete policy and community priorities for Seminole County. Public access to AEDs at gyms schools and community centers proved decisive, and bystander knowledge of CPR altered the outcome. Rapid arrival by a well resourced fire department reinforced the need to maintain response capacity across the county. For residents the event offers a clear takeaway, learn CPR enroll in training and support placement and maintenance of AEDs in public venues. For policymakers the case strengthens arguments for funding first responder staffing community CPR education and strategic AED deployment to improve survival rates from out of hospital cardiac arrest.
