Dakota County first responders were recently honored for saving lives, including one of their own. They were recognized by the Dakota County EMS Council during Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Week May 18–24.
Also, three 911 dispatchers were recognized for their calm, life-saving assistance, and a resident was awarded for quick-thinking actions that saved a life.
Here are the live-saving stories:
Eagan first responders swoop in after scooter emergency
Quick-acting Eagan first responders likely saved a young child's life on March 17, 2025.
A 3-year-old child riding a scooter was run over by an unoccupied car that had rolled down a driveway, dragging the child into the street. Fire Capt. Nate Miller and firefighters Nick Kindelspire and Rob Morris arrived within minutes and used tools to lift the car off the child. Capt. Kevin Teat and firefighters Amy Reding and Jacob Cordt treated the child at the scene. Paramedics Logan Enderson and Loyan Dennis of M Health Fairview EMS rushed the child to the hospital with Reding and Cordt.
The child, who was wearing a helmet, suffered a punctured lung and scrapes but no skull fracture.
Firefighter saved after heart attack
Rosemount firefighters saved one of their own.
After returning from a call Jan. 23, 2025, firefighter Bruce Sword experienced chest pain. Quick-thinking fellow firefighter Will McDonald suggested checking Sword's vitals and having him evaluated by nearby paramedics. While being monitored in an ambulance, Sword went into full cardiac arrest.
Rosemount first responders McDonald, Matt Ausmus, Dave Nowlin and Battalion Chief Chad Ganfield, along with M Health Fairview paramedics Wes McDonald and Kyle Konkel, saved Sword's life. They gave Sword CPR and advanced cardiac care while rushing him to the hospital. He recovered and was released four days later with no lasting neurological damage.
Officers deliver for pregnant woman in distress
South St. Paul police were called March 10, 2025 to help a 24-year-old pregnant woman in labor. The woman was in distress after being unable to reach her family. Police Sgt. Jered Deal and officers Peter Harris and Dylan Christensen delivered a healthy baby girl, Journey, before paramedics arrived.
After the delivery, the officers cleared the baby's airway and helped South Metro fire crew members MacKenzie Asp, Brandon Buckley, Peter Friend, Jared Rorabeck and Pat Noack with additional care.
In a show of compassion, the officers personally notified the new mother's family of the joyful news.
Dakota 911 dispatchers coach callers to save lives
- Mary Watry – On April 11, 2024, Watry coached a 911 caller through CPR for an unresponsive 69-year-old man. Watry's calm demeanor and precise instruction helped the patient before he was placed on a life support system. The man made a full recovery.
- Tori Bourdages – On Aug. 6, 2024, Bourdages provided CPR instructions over the phone to help an unconscious male victim. Bourdages' guidance and real-time updates led to first responders successfully restoring the patient's normal heartbeat. The patient fully recovered.
- Alyssa Stadtler – On Nov. 23, 2024, Stadtler coached a woman on CPR to help her husband, who was unconscious. Stadtler's empathy and expertise helped save the patient, who recovered after his heartbeat was restored with defibrillators.
Lifeguard takes life-saving action
On Nov. 12, 2024, lifeguard Lauren LeMay saw a swimmer collapse at the Hastings YMCA. LeMay directed CPR and delivered a life-saving AED shock to the patient before first responders arrived. The patient later received an implanted defibrillator and was discharged from the hospital.
LeMay received a Citizen Lifesaving Award for her actions.