MARGATE – The city Thursday, Jan. 16 issued lifesaving awards to a resident and members of the Margate and Ventnor Police and Fire departments for their coordinated efforts in saving the lives of two men who were electrocuted at a construction site last October, and promoted a longtime police officer to the rank of captain. Three Class II Special Law Enforcement Officers were also sworn-in before they head to the Police Academy on Friday.
Fire Chief Dan Adams issued Lifesaving Awards to numerous Margate and Ventnor first responders for their heroic and well-coordinated efforts to save the lives of two construction workers injured Oct. 30, 2024, when a metal ladder they were moving touched a 7,200-volt primary electric wire as they repaired a roof at 30 S. Cooledge Ave.
Margate Police Sgt. Jake Rando and Officers Michael Heath and Jack Schall were first on-scene of the accident to find a passerby, resident Patricia Giegerich, a nurse anesthetist at AtlantiCare Regional Medical Center, administering CPR to one of the men.
The officers quickly jumped in and took over compressions for both men until members of the Margate City Fire Department arrived. Lifesaving measures included CPR and the use of automatic external defibrillators to resuscitate the men.
Adams said the flawless unity and coordination between the Police, Fire and Dispatch departments resulted in saving the lives of the two men who survived and were able to be released from the hospital a week later.
Although it was a chaotic scene, their coordinated efforts ensured all first responders were able to perform their duties in a calm manner, he said.
Because both of Margate’s ambulances were on other calls, Ventnor City mutual aid sent an ambulance to assist until two AtlantiCare paramedics arrived on scene to reestablish heart rhythms for both victims.
The Ventnor City and AtlantiCare paramedic units transported the men to the hospital where they eventually recovered and were release a week later.
Those recognized from the Margate City Fire Department are Adams, Deputy Chief Patrick Armstrong, Capt. Chris Hornig, Lt. Matt McCully, and Firefighters Kirk Battles, Brian Duffey, Danyl Loyle, Christopher Shea, Michael Herzog and Rocco Tobasso.
Members of the Police Department who were honored are Sgt. Jake Rando and Officers Michael Heath and Jack Schnall.
Ventnor City Fire Department personnel honored are Anthony Ventura and Bruno Migioia.
Resident Nurse Patricia Giegerich was unable to attend the meeting.
Commissioner of Public Safety Cathy Horn administers the oath of office promoting Jeffrey Lee to the rank of Captain in the Margate City Police Department Jan. 16, 2025.Lt. Jeffrey Lee, a 24-year veteran of the Police Department, was elevated to the rank of captain. Lee started his career in Margate in 2001 after graduating from the Burlington County Police Academy. He was promoted to the rank of sergeant in 2011 and to lieutenant in 2019. Lee is also a member of the NJ Air National Guard.
Police Chief Matthew Hankinson said Lee is an integral part of the Police Department and the promotion is well-deserved.
Lee will continue to serve as the head of the Operations Division, overseeing the day-to-day activities of the department.
Margate Commissioner of Public Safety Cathy Horn administers the oath of office for Brian Northridge, Brett Grodziak and Christa Voltaggio who will serve as Class II Special Law Enforcement Officers this summer.Three new recruits took their oaths of office pledging to uphold the Constitution and perform all the duties of the office of Class II Special Law Enforcement Officers. Brian Northridge, Christa Voltaggio and Brett Grodziak will start their police training and be ready to put on their uniforms and patrol city streets this summer.
“Summer will be here before you know it,” Hankinson said.
https://downbeach.com/news/2024/nov/02/margate-and-ventnor-first-responders-revive-two-electrocuted/
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