KAUNEONGA LAKE –– First responders are always ready at a moment’s notice, as they never know when someone will be in need of help.

For example, the Kauneonga Lake Fire Department was together celebrating America’s birthday on July 4 when a call came in for an unconscious person on West Shore Road. Shortly after it was identified as a cardiac arrest.

Recently, the department had decided to start going on those types of calls and got two AED defibrillators with the help of New York State Assemblywoman Aileen Gunther. In fact, they had just had training for such situations a week prior to the incident.

When the call came in, Kauneonga Lake Fire Chief Mark Pennell quickly went to the firehouse to retrieve a defibrillator and headed to the scene.

Catskills Hatzalah EMS, who happened to be passing by, were already there attending to the woman and administering CPR.

They did not have a defibrillator and Pennell immediately offered the department’s. They shocked her three times  and her pulse had returned to normal by the time she got in the ambulance.

Jill Holland, who is one of Kauneonga Lake Fire Department Commissioners, had high praise for her chief’s role in the successful response.

“I really commend Mark,” said Holland. “He did a phenomenal job. Quick thinking and swift action saved this woman’s life.”

Pennell said it was a combination of everyone’s efforts that saved the woman’s life.

The family has since put up a banner on their dock on West Shore Road thanking all the first responders who helped the member of their family when they needed it most.

Pennell said the incident is another example of the importance of CPR and AED training.

“It’s as simple and easy as it gets,” he said. “Get trained and save a life. Sometimes its only a matter of seconds.”

Are you interested in receiving CPR and AED training? If so, contact the Sullivan County Bureau of EMS at 845-807-0508.