COQUITLAM, B.C., June 8, 2023 – Coquitlam Fire/Rescue has bestowed a rare honour on a local teenager for using CPR to save a life in 2022.
Abbey Allen received a Civilian Citation at a Coquitlam Fire/Rescue award ceremony held May 13 at Coquitlam City Hall for her role in saving her father’s life last year.
Quick Action Saved a Life
Crews responding to an emergency call Jan. 18, 2022 found Allen – 17 years old at the time – performing CPR on her father, who was unconscious. Allen had learned CPR through Coquitlam’s Bronze Cross / Medallion lifeguard training program.
Fire and ambulance crews took over, using an automated external defibrillator twice on Allen’s father and restoring his heartbeat. Ultimately, Allen’s father survived with no deficits whatsoever, due in large part to Abbey’s quick response and lifesaving actions, performed in incredibly trying conditions.
Recognizing Everyday Heroes
Coquitlam Fire/Rescue award Civilian Citations in rare instances, when actions by a local citizen directly result in the saving of a life or the reduction of serious injury or property damage. Signed by the Fire Chief, the citation recognizes everyday heroes in the community who risk their own lives and safety or demonstrate selfless acts of courage.
The department reviews awards nominations each January, and this year’s committee unanimously agreed to honour Allen for her heroic actions and proficiency in CPR. Although citizen citations are usually presented at Council meetings, Coquitlam Fire/Rescue included Allen in its formal awards ceremony May 13 recognizing exemplary and long service, with an honour guard, crew, elected officials and family on hand.
Saving More Lives with CPR Training
Allen’s story highlights the importance of training residents in CPR – including youth – so they can start to provide care before emergency personnel arrive.
As part of its community outreach, the department has launched a high school program to train students in basic CPR during their physical education classes.
Coquitlam Fire/Rescue intends to gradually build the program over time, making it available to Coquitlam PE teachers as an annual or semi-annual block. Since the first CPR session in 2022, approximately 100 students at Centennial, Gleneagle and Pinetree secondary schools have received the training.
Donation Boosts First Aid Resources
Administering CPR and first aid is a regular part of a firefighter’s duties, but one instance of this lifesaving care in Coquitlam led to a $25,000 donation from an appreciative family. In 2018, Coquitlam Fire/Rescue responders revived an elderly man who had suffered cardiac arrest. Although he passed away a few days later in hospital, his relatives treasured the extra time they had with him thanks to the crew’s intervention.
The family shared their gratitude at the Mariner Way fire hall in 2021 when dropping off their generous donation to Coquitlam Fire/Rescue. The funds have since been used to enhance the department’s first aid equipment, including AED training devices and CPR training dolls.
About Coquitlam Fire/Rescue
Coquitlam Fire/Rescue’s mission is to provide a range of emergency responses, fire protection and educational programs designed to protect lives and property from the adverse effects of fire, sudden medical emergencies or exposure to dangerous conditions created by people or nature. Adopted in late 2021, the Community Wildfire Resiliency Plan outlines 43 actions aimed at reducing wildfire risk and improving the City’s response and recovery if fires do occur and is making progress implementing high-priority actions.
Learn more about Coquitlam Fire/Rescue at coquitlam.ca/FireRescue .
Media contact:
Jim Ogloff
Fire Chief
604-927-6400
firerescue@coquitlam.ca
We acknowledge with gratitude and respect that the name Coquitlam was derived from the hən̓q̓əmin̓əm̓ word kʷikʷəƛ̓əm (kwee-kwuh-tlum) meaning “Red Fish Up the River”. The City is honoured to be located on the kʷikʷəƛ̓əm (Kwikwetlem) traditional and ancestral lands, including those parts that were historically shared with the sq̓əc̓iy̓aɁɬ təməxʷ (Katzie), and other Coast Salish Peoples.