Rockland Paramedics' Quick Action Save Family With Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

By Idy Perl

During a routine call, two medics from RPS, Todd Reinertsen and Scott Nava, saved nine family members who unknowingly had carbon monoxide poisoning. 

On Monday the two paramedics responded to a call of a woman complaining of a headache and nausea. While examining her, the portable monoxide detectors that all paramedics carry alerted them that there were high levels of CO in the home. The medics quickly evacuated all the residents of the home, including four children, and assessed their condition.

They determined that the others were all feeling sick as well and called for additional backup. Two ambulances from Haverstraw Ambulance Corps and one from Congers-Valley Cottage Volunteer Ambulance Corps responded to the scene and transported all the family members to Montefiore Nyack hospital for treatment. The SW Johnson Fire Department came to inspect the home and confirmed that there were high levels of CO in the home.

The quick action of the paramedics ensured that the family received treatment before the situation turned fatal.