Public Employee Press

Everyday Heroes
Parks lifesaver

By DIANE S. WILLIAMS

Brenda Cassimere is alive today thanks to a broken printer and the heroism of Local 1508 Parks Supervisor Robert Dziedziech, who performed cardio-pulmonary resuscitation for some 22 minutes until first responders in the 911 Call Center and Fire Dept. Emergency Medical Services arrived.

The ground floor gym at Highbridge Recreation Center was abuzz with activity Saturday morning Jan. 10. On the third floor, two Parks Dept. employees worked in offices at opposite ends of the building.

"I needed to print something but it wouldn't work, so I went to find Brenda," Dziedziech said. He found the Local 1549 Clerical Associate "totally limp in her chair with her eyes open. I tapped her face to wake her. Nothing. She had no pulse and was not breathing."

The Parks Supervisor quickly moved Cassimere to the floor and started chest compressions as he had learned 12 years ago though a Parks Dept. CPR course. Nervous and scared, Dziedziech said, "I had to keep my cool and do this."

He called 911, cradling his cell phone while counting 100 compressions a minute. The call disconnected. He redialed, attempting to put it on speaker. "I was yelling for help but no one heard me. The 911 Operator talked me through but the call dropped again. I called back, still maintaining that CPR rhythm as we exchanged information."

Cassimere gasped but never regained consciousness.

Dziedziech didn't give up: "It seemed like forever. I was screaming for help. Then EMS finally found us and took over."

EMTs found a faint pulse and used a defibrillator on Cassimere. They administered oxygen and rushed her to Columbia Presbyterian Hospital. She was comatose for four days and underwent open heart surgery.

"Robert and my co-workers came to see me every day," she said through tears, "but I cannot tell you anything because I can't remember."

Cassimere had suffered a heart attack. It is a mystery how long she was unconscious and a miracle that she is alive.

"I see the scars and don't know how they got there," she said. A survivor, Cassimere lost everything in her Far Rockaway flat during Hurricane Sandy, and now this. "I remember Maya Angelou's, "Still I Rise." It is by the grace of God I am here.

"If it wasn't for Robert, I don't know. I owe him my life," she said. "He is such a good guy, like a Boy Scout and the best supervisor I ever had.

"I am so grateful to Robert," Cassimere said. "Thank you' doesn't seem enough. He is my hero!"

Cassimere's desk is in a remote area. Dziedziech usually works outdoors. The office printer, they later learned, was not broken - just unplugged.

"There are so many different what-ifs," said Dziedziech. "I'm just glad we have a happy ending."