CFD Hosts Recognition Ceremony Honoring Local Heroes

The Crawfordsville Fire Department, alongside the Indiana Department of Homeland Security EMS Division and Handtevy leadership, proudly hosted a recognition ceremony honoring 13 individuals whose extraordinary actions saved the life of a three-year-old child following a pediatric cardiac arrest on Nov. 5.

The ceremony recognized the exceptional service, compassion, and professionalism demonstrated by Montgomery County first responders, emergency dispatchers, law enforcement officers and a courageous babysitter, Anisha Joyce. Their coordinated efforts exemplified the highest standard of emergency response and resulted in a child surviving a life-threatening emergency and continuing on a positive path to recovery.

On Wednesday, Nov. 5, a life-threatening pediatric emergency tested every link in the chain of survival. A 3-year-old child was found unresponsive, not breathing and without a pulse. Thanks to decisive actions, expert guidance and seamless teamwork across agencies, that child is alive today.

Babysitter Anisha Joyce immediately called 911 upon discovering the child face-down, blue and not breathing. Following dispatcher instructions, she began CPR without hesitation. Her willingness to act decisively under overwhelming stress provided the child with the only chance of survival until responders arrived. Her actions were heroic and vital.

Montgomery County Central Communications Center dispatchers Alayna McNulty, Clint Jackson and Kolby Curtis demonstrated exceptional professionalism and urgency. They rapidly gathered critical information, recognized a deteriorating pediatric condition, and provided clear, lifesaving CPR instructions. Their calm and precise guidance ensured that high-quality chest compressions were already underway before responders arrived, directly contributing to the child’s survival.

Crawfordsville Fire Department responders Firefighter/Paramedic FTO Zach Aveline, Paramedic Adam Davies, Battalion Chief Seth Nichols and Firefighter/EMT Calvin Chaney accessed the home through a walkout basement and found CPR in progress. Waynetown Town Marshal Grant Snyder, who arrived on scene with law enforcement, actively assisted by performing CPR prior to and during the transition of care to fire and EMS personnel. The child remained pulseless and not breathing.

Fire and EMS crews initiated ventilations with oxygen, applied pediatric cardiac pads, identified ventricular fibrillation and followed Handtevy pediatric resuscitation guidelines. The team delivered defibrillation, performed high-performance CPR, established intraosseous access, administered multiple rounds of epinephrine, placed an advanced airway using an endotracheal tube and conducted continuous reassessments. Despite prolonged pulseless electrical activity, the team maintained coordinated resuscitation until a pulse returned. The child’s color improved, capnography stabilized between 80–90 mmHg and spontaneous breathing efforts began.

During transport to the nearest emergency room, Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office deputies Ethan Stonebraker, Matt Roberts, Zane Hyten, Deric Punke and Waynetown Town Marshal (and full-time Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office deputy) Grant Snyder provided an emergency escort. This allowed paramedics to focus exclusively on patient care without concern for traffic delays — an often unseen but critical link in the chain of survival.

The child has continued to improve steadily. On Nov. 15, his breathing tube was successfully removed, and he remains on a positive recovery trajectory. His survival is the direct result of extraordinary teamwork across agencies, disciplines and jurisdictions.

During the ceremony, all 13 individuals received a Commendation for Cardiac Arrest Save presented by Kraig Kinney, Indiana State EMS Medical Director. Letters written specifically to each organization by Dr. Peter Antevy, Co-Founder of Handtevy, were presented by Crawfordsville Fire Department EMS Captain Bryan Shaw, along with Handtevy Challenge Coins recognizing their commitment to excellence in pediatric emergency care.

The Crawfordsville Fire Department extends its deepest gratitude to all involved for their unwavering dedication to service and for demonstrating how preparedness, training, and teamwork can change and save lives.