Area Responders Recognized

 During the February 20, 2024, City Commission meeting, representatives from Children's Mercy of Kansas City presented the Lifesaving Heart of Kindness Award to several Arkansas City first responders. 

On January 10, 2024, the Arkansas City, KS Fire/EMS Department was dispatched to a local residence for an unresponsive 14-year-old. 

Sgt. Detective Kelsey Horinek of the Arkansas City Police Department was the first to arrive. She found the male lying unresponsive in bed and was unable to locate a pulse. Sgt. Detective Horinek immediately initiated CPR. 

Shortly after, Arkansas City Police Department Lt. Corey Combs arrived and assisted with chest compressions. Together, they continued their lifesaving efforts until Firefighter/EMT Ike Hobbs, Firefighter/Paramedic Brandy Rice, Firefighter/EMT Patrick Rodke, Engineer/EMT Logon French, and Fire Marshall Chet Ranzau joined to provide more advanced care. 

Thanks to their combined efforts, a pulse was regained, and the juvenile was transported to SCK Health - Medical Center as a code red. Children's Mercy Transport then transported the patient to Kansas City for further treatment. Remarkably, the patient recovered to stable condition and could leave the hospital just one week later. 

Heather Scruton, Children's Mercy of Kansas City Assistant Director of Critical Care Transport & EMS Relations, presented the awards during the meeting. 

"This award is given annually to first responders who represent the best of our ranks in the care of a pediatric patient. We are so very proud to be able to extend our congratulations to your team as this year's recipients." Scruton said.