LIHUE — A fast-acting samaritan along with several first responders were honored for their collaborative life-saving efforts that saved a woman’s life last December.
During Tuesday’s Fire Commission meeting, the Kauai Fire Department KFD honored first responders and a samaritan for saving the life of Melissa Gregory after she suffered a medical emergency.
On the evening of December 20, 2024, Gregory was at the Longs Drug store in Lihue when she collapsed at the checkout line. In that immediate moment bystander Megan Gayagas took action and called 911.
While emergency responders were dispatched Gayagas’s CPR training kicked in and she began administrating CPR on Gregory with guidance from KPD Dispatch, Ashley Rapozo.
At that moment the PulsePoint app dispatched an emergency notification, while Gayagas actively kept Gregory’s heart pumping. Off-duty firefighter Cy O’Brien received the app notification while he was at Kukui Grove food court and realized he was in immediate proximity.
O’Brien instantly jumped into action, searched for the scene, responding within minutes, immediately assisting with ventilations while KFD sirens could be heard approaching.
AMR paramedics, along with Engine 3 from the Lihue Fire Station, arrived on scene, took command and immediately applied advanced life support efforts. The team deployed a cardiopulmonary assist system (LUCAS) with an automated external defibrillator (AED) that administered two shocks while paramedics delivered two additional manual shocks.
Gregory regained her pulse and was able to communicate before being transported to the Wilcox Medical Center in Lihue where she received additional care. The coordinated efforts of bystander CPR along with the assistance from dispatch and professional response from emergency personnel created an exemplary domino effect that ultimately saved Gregory’s life.
During the meeting, Gregory became emotional as she expressed her gratitude for all the individuals who assisted her and saved her life that day.
“I am blessed and lucky to live on Kauai,” said Gregory. “Thank you, everyone, for having me here today. I have a husband, our two children, and our two dogs. I am just so blessed. Thank you very, very much,” she said.
Kauai Mayor Derek S.K. Kawakami also addressed his admiration for the first responder’s actions and said;
“Stepping in during an emergency isn’t for everyone. Thankfully, there are people like Megan. Bravehearts like Megan and our first responder community that we often take for granted living in a small community” said Mayor Kawakami.
“This is what makes Kaua‘i so special. We can always count on someone to step up and help a stranger in need. We are extremely blessed.”
Deputy Chief Roger Mills also addressed his team and honored their quick actions, he stated; “This event is a powerful reminder of the critical importance of bystander CPR and the seamless collaboration between our community members, dispatchers, firefighters, and emergency medical personnel,” said Deputy Mills, “Thanks to their efforts, Melissa is alive today.”
The police commission presented first responders with a lei along with a certificate for their outstanding life-saving efforts and awarded Megan Gayagas with a KPD lei. She was also draped with additional leis from friends and family who were also present at the meeting.
The following men and women were recognized and honored during the Feb. 18 meeting;
• Good neighbor, Megan Gayagas.
• Off-Duty Firefighter, Cy O’Brien.
• Kauai Police Dispatch, Ashley Rapozo.
• Lihue Fire Station, Rescue 3, Fire Captain Kilipaki Vaughan, Firefighter Jonathan Martin, and Firefighter Alden Lind.
• AMR/ MEDIC 25, Paramedic Jonathan Kusano, Paramedic Keavy Brennan, and EMT Giorgio Diequez.
The public is reminded that February is American Heart Month, a period during which individuals are encouraged to prioritize their cardiovascular health. In alignment with this initiative, the KFD encourages the Kauai community to download PulsePoint Respond.
The application is designed to be location-aware so that trained residents registering for the application can receive real-time notifications regarding the proximity at which their assistance is required during medical emergencies occurring in public spaces.
Additionally, the app offers detailed, step-by-step guidance for the utilization of an AED as well as for administering CPR.
The app is free on both the Apple App Store and Google Play Store by searching for “PulsePoint.” For more information on the PulsePoint app, contact KFD at kfd.Kauai.gov or call 808-241-4980.
Residents or individuals trained to assist others who are interested in signing up or learning more about PulsePoint app notifications can visit the following links for further information:
• PulsePoint Respond How-To Video: https://vimeo.com/pulsepoint/respond-ios
• PulsePoint AED How-To Video: https://vimeo.com/394491345
• PulsePoint Respond At-a-Glance: http://www.pulsepoint.org/pulsepoint-respond/
• PulsePoint AED At-a-Glance: http://www.pulsepoint.org/pulsepoint-aed/
