Anderson County honors deputies, firefighters and telecommunicators in two CPR save recognitions

The Anderson County Commission recognized multiple first responders on March 16 for two recent cardiac arrest interventions that resulted in patients being discharged from hospital care.

At the first ceremony, County EMS Director Nathan Sweet described an October 2025 incident in the Claxton community in which Deputy Scott Lopez was first on scene and immediately began CPR until ambulance crews arrived; the patient received defibrillation, went into and out of arrest during transport, and ultimately recovered and returned home after hospitalization. Director Sweet called up Deputy Lopez and EMS crew members, including a Roane State paramedic student, to receive CPR recognition pins and certificates.

Director Sweet then recounted a Feb. 2, 2026 cardiac arrest at an Oak Ridge church gymnasium. Telecommunicator Jayda Allen provided CPR instructions over the phone, Officer Isaiah Wilder initiated hands-on CPR, and Oak Ridge Fire and Medic 5 personnel administered advanced life support including four defibrillations; the patient regained pulses, was treated at a hospital and attended the meeting to be recognized alongside the responders.

"It's always a delight when we can bring the patient back and have them here," Director Sweet said. The commission applauded the responders and noted the importance of the whole "chain of survival" from dispatch instructions to first on-scene care, fire/EMS intervention and hospital treatment.

The recognitions highlighted cross-agency cooperation among the sheriff's office, Oak Ridge Police, Oak Ridge Fire Department and Anderson County EMS.