Mayor Mike Cooper and Chief Gary Blocker are happy to
announce that a local woman’s life was saved with the
combination of the quick actions of a bystander, the
Covington Fire Department, Acadian Ambulance and the use of
a new piece of life saving equipment. Vanessa Dolan, 60,
started feeling ill at a local pharmacy and collapsed.
Stacy Barney, who works for Florida Parish Detention
Center, jumped into action and started
performing CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation) as others
called 911.
“CPR is so time sensitive and important to start
immediately… a few seconds make a crucial difference as
to whether or not someone comes home… if you think it’s
needed, just do it! There is no harm in administering CPR
if it’s not needed but there is a lifesaving difference if
you hesitate when it is needed.” – Stacy Barney
The City of Covington Fire Department arrived and
immediately took over performing CPR, hooked up the AED
(Automated External Defibrillator), and delivered one shock
to Mrs. Dolan. For the very first time, the Covington Fire
Dept. also used a new lifesaving piece of equipment called
a LUCAS device which was purchased and put into service
only a week prior to the incident.
The $21,000 device automatically performs CPR or chest
compressions to maintain the circulation of oxygen to the
heart and brain. CPR is a physically demanding task that
involves physical force to compress the chest which limits
the amount of time it can be used.
While the LUCAS device was working on Mrs. Dolan, it
allowed Acadian personnel and Covington Fire Dept.
personnel to perform other lifesaving tasks that were
needed concurrently. The American Heart Association and
The Red Cross teach the Chain of Survival. It consists of
five links; early access to the emergency response system,
early CPR, early defibrillation, and early advance care by
EMS and hospital personnel. Happily, Mrs. Dolan received
all five links.
“We would like to congratulate the Covington Fire
Department team for a great save!
We enjoy working with such a fine group of first
responders.” – Acadian Ambulance
Mrs. Dolan’s chance of survival would have decreased
dramatically without bystanders calling 911, Stacy Barney
performing CPR, The Covington Fire Department delivering
defibrillation and using the LUCAS device, and Acadian
Ambulance performing advance care and transportation.
Mayor Cooper, Chief Blocker and members of the Covington
Fire Dept. had the wonderful opportunity of meeting with
Mrs. Dolan’s family when her husband, Mr. Neville Dolan,
and two daughters visited the Covington Fire Department.
“I’m so grateful that they didn’t give up on my wife… it
was an absolute miracle that everyone was in the right
place at the right time, including the new LUCAS device.
Starting with a citizen of the community, Stacy Barney, who
didn’t have to help at all but administered CPR
immediately… and much gratitude to Covington Fire
Department, Acadian Ambulance and St. Tammany Hospital. I
hope to give more exposure to the importance of the
public’s willingness to help in emergency situations.” –
Neville Dolan
CFD Media Contact: Fire Prevention Joe Ard, phone 985-630
-9298 or email: jard@covla.com
Each year, the CFD answers more than 1,400 emergency calls.
CFD firefighters spend many hours on outreach for fire
prevention in the community. The CFD conducts fire
prevention programs in local schools simulating the
conditions of a fire, teaching students how to formulate
and execute an emergency exit plan. Visit covla.com.
