Grapevine Staff, First Responders Honored for Saving Teen’s Life at a Rec Center

By Fousia Abdullahi, Fort Worth Star-Telegram

Grapevine city employees and the fire department are credited for saving the life of a 17-year-old who went into cardiac arrest at a recreation center in December.

Assistant Fire Chief Wes Williams recognized both teams during a City Council meeting earlier in February for saving the life of Zach Smith.

“Their dedication and care made a real difference, and I’m proud to recognize their extraordinary efforts today,” Williams said.

On Dec. 15, the Grapevine emergency alarm office got a 9-1-1 call at 4:05 p.m. for an unconscious person on the second floor of The REC of Grapevine.

The RECs aquatic team were quick to respond to the incident before the fire department could arrive, Williams said. They told the emergency operator the person was no longer breathing and started CPR.

Jennifer Kashner, the recreation manager at Grapevine Parks and Recreation, told the Star-Telegram that Smith was in one of the studios doing some lifting when he went into cardiac arrest.

Kashner was the first on the scene and started CPR while the rest of the team joined in to assist by giving oxygen and preparing to use a defibrillator.

“We are incredibly thankful that we were in the right place at the right time to help Zach,” Kashner said in a statement. “We’re proud to work for a city that prioritizes staff training, so when incidents occur, our team is confident and prepared to respond. We couldn’t be more proud of our team, and we are so happy to see Zachary healthy and recovering so well.”

Aquatic operations coordinator Shannon Paterson and Emily Marecle, an aquatic supervisor, shared with the Star-Telegram what it was like seeing Smith again after the incident.

“We’re all moms and have a son about his age,” Paterson said, “and it was really emotional to know that he gets a second chance, specifically because of the training that happens here, and people who know what they’re doing, and the amazing first responders, they’re just phenomenal.”

Marecle said it’s important for people to learn CPR, and she attributes Smith not having brain damage to how quickly they performed CPR, gave oxygen and used the AED on him.

Grapevine Mayor William D. Tate said that he was at The REC the day of the incident.

“I was outside by the elevator working some weights when it all happened, but I witnessed the staff and the paramedics, and they were very calm and very professional and did a wonderful job and saved that man’s life,” Tate said at the council meeting.

City leaders gave citations to The REC staff, dispatcher Liz Pickett, captains from the fire department, driver engineers, firefighter paramedics, firefighter EMT and others.

Williams said The REC team completed the first three steps in what’s called the “Chain of Survival” in the seven minutes before the fire department arrived at The REC. The six steps are:
Recognition of cardiac arrest and activation of emergency response systemEarly CPRRapid DefibrillationAdvanced resuscitation by emergency medical services.Post cardiac arrest careRecovery

According to the American Heart Association of Texas, 90% of the 350,000 sudden cardiac arrests that happen outside a hospital setting each year are fatal.

“Their continued training had prepared them to act and save a young man’s life,” Williams said.

Smith attended the city council meeting where he signed a train ticket that was placed on Grapevine’s cardiac arrest survivors train. He was the 15th survivor to sign a ticket.

“This ticket stands as a powerful reminder of a life saved and the importance of quick action and teamwork in critical moments,” Williams said.

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