To the Editor,
The story of Elijah-Jay Mariano Rivera — a Windsor High School football player who collapsed during practice after a sudden cardiac arrest, and whom his mother remembered as a “gentle giant” — is heartbreaking. Any loss of a young life is devastating, and our hearts go out to his family and community.
In moments like these, it is natural to ask what more can be done to be prepared for medical emergencies, particularly sudden cardiac events that can strike without warning.
Across many communities, including our own, there has been a growing focus on preparedness, ensuring that the right equipment is available and that people are trained to act quickly in an emergency.
In Greenwich, Greenwich Emergency Medical Services (GEMS) is a not-for-profit organization and the sole provider of emergency medical services to the Town. Supported by our community, GEMS has worked tirelessly to help ensure that life-saving automated external defibrillators (AEDs) are available in every Greenwich public school, in every Greenwich police vehicle, in most of our parks, and in other town buildings. Just as importantly, GEMS provides training throughout the community in schools, clubs, and public settings so that individuals are prepared to act in those critical first moments before professional responders arrive.
Last year, Greenwich EMS responded to over 6,200 emergency calls. We are proud of the high-quality pre-hospital care GEMS provides and of its consistently fast emergency response times. At the same time, preparedness extends beyond response time. In cases of sudden cardiac arrest, survival often depends on immediate access to an AED and the willingness to act before first responders arrive.
While no system can prevent every tragedy, this loss underscores the importance of doing everything possible to be prepared. This work requires ongoing attention, investment, and a shared commitment across the community. We are deeply grateful to the professionals and volunteers who carry out this lifesaving work every day and to the members of our community who participate in training so as to be ready to render aid in an emergency.
Sincerely,
Jesse Eisenberg
Board Member, Greenwich Emergency Medical Services
