What started as a classroom scenario became a real-life emergency, and now the FVTC students and instructor who responded are being recognized on a national stage.
Five Fox Valley Technical College EMS students and instructor Traci Blondeau will travel to Washington, D.C., in November to be honored through the American Ambulance Association’s Stars of Life program, which recognizes EMS professionals who have made a meaningful impact in their communities.
The recognition stems from an EMT class earlier this year when longtime EMS instructor Karl Arps suffered a cardiac arrest while role-playing a patient experiencing a heart attack. Faced with an actual medical emergency, students Sofie DeValk, Jacob James, Logan Lehrer, Benjamin Marsh and Anela Riehl immediately put their training into action alongside Blondeau.
Their quick response and teamwork helped save Karl’s life.
The group will be recognized during the Stars of Life Medal Breakfast on Nov. 16 as part of a three-day national event that includes recognition ceremonies, meetings with members of Congress and an awards banquet celebrating EMS professionals from across the country.
For the students, the honor recognizes more than a single moment. It reflects the skills, confidence and teamwork they developed through FVTC’s EMT program.
“Being honored at Stars of Life places these students and instructors among some of the nation’s most respected EMS professionals,” said John Sorenson, dean of Public Safety at FVTC. “Their quick actions, teamwork and commitment to helping others made a profound difference. We’re incredibly proud of our students and grateful that Karl will be with the group as they are recognized.”
Karl will also take part in the Washington, D.C., event, sharing remarks about the experience and personally presenting recognition awards to the students and instructor whose actions helped save his life.
