MARGATE – The city previously honored 15 first responders who responded to the call of two construction workers electrocuted when they moved a metal ladder and hit an electric line. Missing from the members of the Police and Fire departments was a civilian whose quick actions helped save the life of one of the men.
On Thursday, Feb. 7, the city honored someone who just happened to be in the area when the accident occurred.
Patty Giegerich of Egg Harbor Township said she was all set to have dinner with her brother who lives on Cooledge Avenue, a short distance from where the accident occurred Oct. 30, 2024.
“I was getting out of my car when I saw a police officer speeding down Cooledge Avenue. And then I saw another one and when I saw the two police cars, I got curious about what was happening,” she said. “At first I thought they might be arresting the man.”
Giegerich is a surgical nurse anesthetist at AtlantiCare Regional Medical Center Mainland Division, who was sent like an angel to save a life.
“When I saw the police giving compressions to a man laying on the ground, I immediately ran down there and identified myself and asked if I could help,” she said.
The officer said yes, and she proceeded to do what she does every day at work for patients undergoing surgical procedures – ensuring the airway remains open to help with breathing.
“I managed the first victim’s airway and did whatever I could to help him with his breathing,” she said. “I had no idea what happened to this man – if it was a heart attack or what.”
Giegerich said she didn’t think she was doing anything out of the ordinary.
“It’s my job at work to respond to every Code Blue in the hospital. I was just doing what I know,” she said.
As the officer continued to do compressions, she worked to keep the man’s airway open until EMTs from the Margate Fire Department arrived with additional equipment, including Automatic External Defibrillators.
“They continued with compressions and used the AEDs about six times before we got a pulse,” she said.
The entire rescue took about a half-hour before the two men were transported to the hospital, where they survived their ordeal and are on the mend.
From left, FMBA Local 41 President Brian Duffey, Margate Fire Chief Dan Adams, Good Samaritan Patty Giegerich and Commissioner of Public Safety Cathy Horn.It was not the first time Giegerich acted as a Good Samaritan in an emergency situation, Fire Chief Dan Adams said. Like an angel, she just happened to be on the beach when a near-drowning victim needed her help.
“Ironically, this is not her first rodeo in saving a life in Margate,” Adams said.
It was in September 2023, at a time when the Beach Patrol only had four beaches staffed, that a swimmer was pulled from the water struggling to breathe.
“Fortunately, Patty just happened to be on the beach and administered lifesaving measures,” Adams said. “Through her efforts, there is no doubt in my mind that up to three lives have been saved. It’s good to know that we have people like Patty willing to jump in and lend a helping hand.”
Firefighter Brian Duffey, who is president of the fire department FMBA Local 41, said the entire incident report was submitted to the New Jersey Firefighters Mutual Benevolent Association for recognition. Although the Margate lifesavers were not selected to receive an award this year, Giegerich was selected to receive the statewide organization’s Citizen Valor Award.
“I’ve known Patty my whole life,” Duffey said. “I was there on the beach helping when Patty was there resuscitating the gentleman on the beach and I was there on the 30th when I pulled up and I went to start compressions, and I looked over and there was Patty. Right away, I had a level of calmness to myself because I knew the airway was going to be managed well. I was like, ‘OK, you got this, Patty’s here.’”
Giegerich modestly said she was just doing her job.
“I am absolutely honored. I didn’t think it was a big deal when I did it, I just responded by instinct,” she said.
Adams said there was “total calm” and organization during the rescue, which may not have been possible without Giegerich being there.
“I hope if anything ever happens to me, I hope that Patty Giegerich is nearby,” Adams said.
Nurse anesthetist Patty Giegerich, right, with her daughter Emily McCloskey of Brigantine, and her granddaughter Maeve, age 1.Copyright Access Network 2025
