MADISON, Wis. (WMTV) – First responders who saved the lives of two students during a school shooting at Abundant Life Christian School nearly a year ago reunited with the survivors, as a step toward healing.
Samy Garduno-Martinez and River Clardy met with the EMS workers and police officers who provided them with life-saving care during the shooting.
The last time the first responders saw the two students, they weren’t sure if they would survive.
“You could feel it in the room how thankful they were that their kid was still there because of the care they provided,” said Dr. Megan Gussick, a UW Health Emergency Physician who organized the reunion. “The last time they saw those patients they were literally dying in front of them. That’s the picture they have in their mind.”
Training translated into life-saving response
Dr. Gussick trains Madison first responders for active shooter situations several times a year. Lieutenant Jimmy Imoehl with Madison Police Emergency Management led those drills just weeks before a student shot and killed two people and injured six others.
“We are all used to it because we train this way, but the fact that this is a necessary part of doing our job and caring for people is definitely surreal,” Dr. Gussick said…