An awards celebration was held at the Princeton BC Ambulance station on Feb. 24 to honour six residents who saved a life on Dec. 30, 2011.
Bob Sterne collapsed while shovelling snow—his heart just stopped. Neighbours of the Sternes’ rushed over, performed CPR and used a defibrillator, keeping Sterne alive until paramedics arrived.
Sterne had surgery to implant a pacemaker/defibrillator and has recovered completely, thanks to the efforts of Maurice, Shane and Mike Chartrand, Diane Sterne, Ray Michaud and Jody Woodford.
Norm Matheson, superintendent BC Ambulance Service, presented the Good Samaritan Awards.
The Vital Link Award was presented to Shane Chartrand, who said that he “shares this award completely with my brother.” (shared effort with CPR) Mike and Maurice Chartrand, Ray Michaud, Diane Sterne and Jody Woodford were all presented with the Good Samaritan Award.
Allana and Mason Michaud accepted the award on behalf of their father Ray, as he was out of province.
Regional District of Okanagan Similkameen (RDOS) Area H director Brad Hope was present at the ceremony.
He commended the efforts of the award recipients. “I think you have all saved more than just one life here,” he said.
Because of this event the RDOS is going to work with other smaller, rural communities to get a defibrillator into all of them.
For the Sternes’ a second chance has been given, for which they are truly grateful. “You just can’t beat small town living,” said Bob Sterne who now has an extra-special appreciation for his friends and neighbours.
For the rescuers— “so glad this story had a happy ending.”