2014 -- H 8019

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LC005370

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2014

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H O U S E   R E S O L U T I O N

HONORING AND THANKING THE COVENTRY POLICE DEPARTMENT AND THE

CENTRAL COVENTRY FIRE DEPARTMENT FOR THEIR EXEMPLARY SERVICE

SAVING THE LIVES OF TWO PEOPLE SUFFERING FROM A SUSPECTED OPIOID

DRUG OVERDOSE ON THE NIGHT OF MARCH 30, 2014

     Introduced By: Representatives Guthrie, Mattiello, E Coderre, O`Grady, and Ackerman

     Date Introduced: April 03, 2014

     Referred To: House read and passed

     WHEREAS, Everyday someone in the United States has their life saved by a Firefighter,

Police Officer and other First Responders. Firefighters, Police Officers and First Responders are

highly trained and educated professionals who work tirelessly and often risk their lives in service

to others. These dedicated individuals perform duties that are vital to the well-being of our

neighborhoods and communities; and

     WHEREAS, Rhode Island is currently suffering from an epidemic of overdose deaths

due to the illegal use of heroin and opiates. In 2012, one hundred and eighty people died from

overdoses of heroin and opiates, and the number of such fatalities in Rhode Island is expected to

exceed three hundred and twenty deaths in 2014; and

     WHEREAS, On March 30, 2014, an emergency phone call was received in Coventry

reporting that two people were possibly suffering from a drug overdose. Arriving quickly on the

scene were Coventry Police Officers, Sergeant David Nelson, Officer Robert Jacavone, Officer

Jadine Ferri and Officer Michael DeLuca. Upon their arrival, they quickly assessed and stabilized

the situation and helped to clear the airway of the young male in question; and

     WHEREAS, Shortly thereafter, Central Coventry Firefighters, Captain Russell Giles,

Firefighter David Simpson, Lieutenant Ronald Preston, and Firefighter Benjamin Octeau, along

with backup from Lieutenant Ted Dion, Firefighter Joseph Borquin, Lieutenant Robert Paul and

Firefighter Derek Foster, arrived on the scene. When they arrived they found two people, a young

woman and a young man, lying on the floor and unresponsive to any commands. The twenty-

three year old female had no blood pressure and was in respiratory arrest; and

     WHEREAS, The Central Coventry Firefighters made a rapid assessment of this dire

situation and promulgated a treatment plan in line with Rhode Island EMS protocols. The young

male immediately responded to medical treatment and was transported to Kent County Memorial

Hospital. The young female's condition was far more severe but thanks to the exemplary life-

saving care provided by these devoted first responders, her blood pressure and respirations were

restored within five minutes and shortly thereafter, while she was en route to the hospital,

additional improvements were made in her vital signs and level of consciousness; and

     WHEREAS, Thanks to the exemplary actions of these Coventry Police Officers and

Firefighters, all of whom literally arrived within 5 minutes of receiving the emergency phone call,

the lives of two young individuals were saved. The citizens of Coventry are blessed to have these

highly trained and dedicated professionals serving their community; now, therefore be it

     RESOLVED, That this House of Representatives of the State of Rhode Island and

Providence Plantations hereby honors and thanks Coventry Police Officers, Sergeant David

Nelson, Officer Robert Jacavone, Officer Jadine Ferri, Officer Michael DeLuca and Central

Coventry Firefighters, Captain Russell Giles, Firefighter David Simpson, Lieutenant Ronald

Preston, Firefighter Benjamin Octeau, Lieutenant Ted Dion, Firefighter Joseph Borquin,

Lieutenant Robert Paul and Firefighter Derek Foster for saving the lives of two people on March

30, 2014; and be it further

     RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to

transmit duly certified copies of this resolution to Coventry Police Officers, Sergeant David

Nelson, Officer Robert Jacavone, Officer Jadine Ferri, Officer Michael DeLuca, and Central

Coventry Firefighters, Captain Russell Giles, Firefighter David Simpson, Lieutenant Ronald

Preston, Firefighter Benjamin Octeau, Lieutenant Ted Dion, Firefighter Joseph Borquin,

Lieutenant Robert Paul, and Firefighter Derek Foster.

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LC005370

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