HomeMy WebLinkAboutNR070819KFDhonorsindividualsinvolvedinMayrescueF� OF
THE COUNTY OF KAUA'I
DEREK S. K. KAWAKAMI, MAYOR
qa 4 MICHAEL A. DAHILIG, MANAGING DIRECTOR
OF
News Release
For Immediate Release: July 8, 2019
KAUA`1 FIRE DEPARTMENT
KILIPAKI VAUGHAN, DEPUTY CHIEF
Tel (808) 241-4980
Fax (808) 241-6508
KFD honors individuals involved in May rescue
LIHUE — The Kauai Fire Department held a special ceremony Monday at the Lihu`e
Civic Center's Mo`ikeha courtyard to honor the community members and first responders
involved in the rescue of Dino Pabre who was resuscitated after collapsing during a basketball
game in May.
"The immediate actions of our community members and first responders involved saved
the life of Mr. Pabre, and today we recognize and thank each individual for their role in this
remarkable rescue," said Deputy Fire Chief Kilipaki Vaughan.
On Thursday, May 9, Pabre was participating in a basketball scrimmage at the Waimea
High School gym, when he collapsed and stopped breathing on the court shortly before 3:45
p.m. Fellow coach and friend Jason Peralta, who is also a firefighter for the Pacific Missile
Range Facility, quickly instructed a player to call 911 and then initiated high performance CPR
compressions. Peralta's daughter Mikaela ran out to his vehicle to grab a pocket mask, and
once it was applied, DJ Pabre, the patient's son, provided rescue breaths to his father until first
responders arrived on scene.
Waimea firefighters arrived at the gym around 3:50 p.m., and applied an AED with shock
advised. CPR and AED efforts continued on scene, until Pabre was eventually revived and then
regained consciousness. AMR medics continued advanced life support and assumed care of
Pabre while he was transported to Kauai Veterans Memorial Hospital for further treatment.
Mayor Derek S. K. Kawakami attended the ceremony, and congratulated all involved,
with a special acknowledgement to Pabre's son, DJ.
"When I was a senior in high school, my dad suffered a major heart attack," said Mayor
Kawakami. "That was a pivotal point in my life and from that day on, whenever I had to say
goodbye to my dad, I gave him a big hug. DJ, I can only imagine your experience on that scary
day in May. On behalf of the County of Kauai and Niihau, I extend to you, Jason, Mikaela and
all of our first responders my sincere appreciation for your bravery and your service. Your
response is a testament to the heart of our community, and especially our West Kauai `ohana."
The Kauai Fire Department presented a total of 12 certificates to all individuals honored
at Monday's ceremony. Kaulana Finn, representing Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard, also
attended the ceremony and presented certificates to all individuals.
Above: The Kauai Fire Department held a special ceremony Monday to honor the community
members and first responders for their efforts in the rescue of Dino Pabre in May. Shown from
left to right are Deputy Fire Chief Kilipaki Vaughan, Mayor Derek S. K. Kawakami, Firefighter I
Makana Denton, Firefighter I Ben Ferris, Firefighter III Nicholas Pananganan, Fire Captain Ryan
Washburn, KPD Dispatcher Sarah Louxz, KPD Dispatcher Christina Chong Tim, AMR Medic
EMT Lisa Johnshoy-Prinzing, AMR Medic MICT Eric Ishida, DJ Pabre, Mikaela Peralta, Jason
Peralta, and Kaulana Finn representing Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard. (Not shown is KPD
Dispatcher Souci Sayegusa.)