By CSP News
(December 28, 2023) — Seven new Connecticut State Troopers received awards at their graduation ceremony on December 28, 2023 for immediately performing lifesaving measures on a fellow recruit who collapsed during an overnight at the Training Academy this past summer.
After being sworn in as State Troopers, the seven recruits, along with two Academy instructors, will be awarded the Medal for Lifesaving for responding to another recruit who was suffering from a severe medical emergency. This is believed to be the first time newly-sworn Connecticut State Troopers are being awarded at their graduation.
On August 18, 2023, a female recruit suffered a medical emergency during the early morning hours. The two roommates of the recruit rendered urgent care and other recruits, some with extensive medical training, arrived to assist. The rapid response of these seven recruits and their assistance with arriving EMS is commendable as they were on only week nine of the 26-week Training Academy.
After providing immediate emergency medical care on site, staff and recruits coordinated ambulatory transport to Midstate Medical Center in Meriden and communication with the family of the recruit. Doctors and staff at Midstate quickly determined that the recruit in medical distress required urgent treatment from a facility with a higher level of care. However, severe thunderstorms prevented transport by helicopter.
The ambulance that arrived to transport the recruit to Yale-New Haven Hospital struggled to navigate through heavy traffic due to the inclement weather and morning rush hour. Academy staff took the initiative to clear a path of travel and escort the ambulance with emergency lights and sirens to ensure a faster ride to New Haven.
Once at the hospital, the recruit was rushed into an operating room to manage her trauma. During the course of surgery, doctors were able to identify and treat the cause of this life-threatening medical emergency.
Both the Yale medical team and the recruit’s family directly attributed the patient’s survival to the immediate response of academy staff and recruits. At a time of crisis, the support demonstrated by the staff and recruits during and after the incident displayed professionalism and care that went above and beyond expectations.
Due to their heroic, lifesaving actions, the recruits were honored at their graduation. The seven are among the 32 recruits sworn in at the graduation of the 134th Training Troop, held in Welte Auditorium at Central Connecticut State University.
