Giving thanks to life-changing experiences: Olmsted Dates and Data

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OLMSTED FALLS, Ohio — Jenna Moyse-Haught has a special way to say thank you to the Olmsted Township fire department.

The Polaris Career Center/Olmsted Falls High junior is studying to be a paramedic after seeing the dedication paramedics gave her father on Dec. 29, 2019. They brought him back to life – five times.

“They kept going. They never gave up,” said the Olmsted Township resident. “It was a scary experience. I knew what I wanted to do after that experience.”

Jenna plans to become a firefigher/paramedic. She is now doing her clinical rotation with township paramedics. More about that in a bit.

Back track to that Dec. 29, 2019 day. Matt Haught, her dad, was experiencing pains across his chest and down the inside of both arms for a few days. In a Sun Post-Herald interview in January 2020, he said the pain would subside when he laid down. But not that night. A call to 911 sent Olmsted Township Fire Lt. Joe Foecking and firefighters/paramedics Damon Schreiber, Kyle Haag and Rob Crowe on the call.

Matt first went into cardiac arrest inside the squad while in the driveway. The team defibrillated Matt five times, using the automatic LUCAS Chest Compression System, which gives automated cardiopulmonary resuscitation or CPR. Paramedics at the same time provided continued advanced life-saving measures. As the squad pulled into the hospital’s ER, he was ready for the next medical help.

“I always wanted to be in the medical field,” Jenna said. “What happened to my dad made me want to do it even more. That is when I began looking at the paramedic field.”

Jenna is enrolled in Polaris’ two-year EMT/Fire Program. She also takes online courses at Olmsted Falls High School. During the first year of the program, students study Foundations of Fire and EMS, Homeland Security and some medical/health science foundation work.

Students in their second year attend the Tri-C Western Campus in Parma. According to Polaris, all students have the opportunity in that first semester to obtain their EMT (Emergency Medical Technician) certification based on meeting needed requirements. In their second semester, they have the opportunity to take either the Firefighter II or the APCO Dispatcher course. They must meet all the college requirements, with some certifications tied to transcripted credit hours at Tri-C.

It is a rigorous program with all courses having certified exams, either state, national or organizational, at the end of meeting the course requirements.

student entering back of ambulance

Polaris EMT/Fire student Jenna Moyse-Haught jumps into the back of a squad as the alarm sounds in the Olmsted Township fire station for a paramedic run.Joanne Berger DuMound/special to cleveland.com

Jenna talked about her first experience riding with paramedics to a call. It involved an elderly woman who had a history of strokes.

“I was nervous,” she said. “I watched what they did. I helped the paramedics to re-read her vitals. We took her to the hospital to have her checked out.”

She held back a bit when asked what it was like riding in the back of the squad. Firefighter/paramedic Rob Crowe jumped right in to explain.

“It is mainly a professional moving truck. It is rocky back there and you’re looking backward,” he said. “We have more than five types of seat buckles to wear.”

Rob said the department welcomes students from various colleges to do their clinical work at the Fitch Road station and ride along with paramedics.

Jenna may become a nationally certified EMT after passing the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians. Then it is more schooling to become a certified firefighter/paramedic.

“Now she is ahead of others who may go through high school and afterward decide to become a paramedic,” Rob said. “She is being very smart to do what she is doing.”

Jenna said she is “glad” she is attending Polaris’ program.

“I looked at the medical field and I looked at Polaris’ program,” Jenna said. “I want to help people, like the paramedics helped my dad. He has a few issues, but he is still kicking and living to the fullest. If he wants to do something, he does it. I’m thankful for the care he got from our fire department.”

Jenna plans to follow her dream of becoming a firefighter/paramedic. What a special story to tell on Thanksgiving Day.

May you and your family enjoy the day and give thanks to those who helped you along your life’s journey.

Santa trot: Fat Little Buddies’ .5K Santa Stroll is Friday, Nov. 24. The festive event has Santa starting the short .5K walk around the parking lot at 5 p.m. Kids events start at 4 p.m. The live party starts right after the stroll.

Tickets are online at https://fightingforalyssa.regfox.com/ffasantastroll. Hurry to get yours. The event’s proceeds go to Fighting for Alyssa, a group dedicated to the awareness, prevention and treatment of substance abuse disorder and to fight the opioid epidemic in our communities.

Also go to the website to buy raffle tickets. You don’t have to be present to win. There are some great prizes so why not check it out.

Tree lighting: Olmsted Township will have its Holiday Christmas Tree Lighting Nov. 26.

Santa Claus will travel throughout the township beginning at 2 p.m. on a fire engine. His tour begins at the fire department and heads east on Cook, north on Fitch, east on John Road and continues through the Preserves. He will then travel through the rest of the township. His entire itinerary is on the township’s Facebook page.

He will return to the fire department/town hall at 5 for music, the tree lighting ceremony, refreshments and photos!

The township welcomes nonperishable items during this event that will be given to our Christians in Action Food Pantry. You are also invited to bring new, unwrapped toys for the fire department’s Toys for Tots drive.

Come out and start the season with the tree lighting, entertainment and, of course, Santa.

Lights, action: It’s time for the Bright Light Battle Holiday Decorating Competition. Enter your home or business as you help light up the community and compete for prizes.

The deadline to enter is Dec. 7. The competition will run from Dec. 9 through Dec. 30. To enter, go to olmstedchamber.org. It is free to enter.

The contest is like the Halloween decoration event. A driving map will be posted Dec. 9. You’ll have the chance to drive around the community and check out all the contestants. Then go to olmstedchamber.org and vote for your favorite. Winners receive a cash prize, trophy and, of course, the most important – bragging rights.

A special thank you to the Olmsted Chamber of Commerce for holding this contest and sponsors Attorney Margaret T. Karl, SJ Inspections & Consulting and Quick Ship Cleveland.

Falls tree lighting: Olmsted Falls will have its Christmas Tree Lighting at 5 p.m. Dec. 3 at the Village Green.

Santa Claus will arrive on his usual local ride – a fire truck. Our middle school choir will sing carols as you enjoy refreshments. You can also warm up at a toasty fire pit.

Thanks to the Olmsted Falls Parks and Recreation Board for sponsoring this annual event.

Sweater Run: You still have time to register for the Olmsted Ugly Sweater Run Dec. 10.

The run begins at the Roasted Coffee Shop in the Stearns-Bagley Plaza. The race has a 1-mile course, chip-timed 1-mile run and a 400-meter for kids ages 10 and under.

Registration includes a free ticket in the post-race raffle. You also will receive a cup of drip coffee or hot cocoa and a cookie. To sign up, go to https://rb.gy/54wkbv.

The race’s proceeds will benefit our Christians in Action’s food pantry. They also will help the Bulldog junior class officers to raise money for its senior prom.

Shop this weekend: It’s Small Business Saturday Nov. 25. Here are some shops that have specials.

The Rift Shop in the Mill River Plaza will offer 10 percent off store-wide items. You also will have a chance to win a raffle basket. Grab a free refreshment while you shop. Bring your kids where they can shop under a tent for gifts $5 and under. The shop is open from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Nov. 25.

The Treasure House of the Falls will celebrate its Christmas Open House this weekend. It will offer great buys, treats as you shop and a few surprises. This Grand Pacific Junction’s Open House store hours are from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Nov. 24 and 25 and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Nov. 26.

While you are out and about, why not check out all the other stores in Olmsted Falls and Olmsted Township for gifts or something nice for yourself.

Upcoming: It’s the annual Christmas Open House at the Olmsted Falls Depot & Model Railroad Museum Dec. 2, 3, 9 and 10. The hours are 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Check out the many model trains and layouts. Admission is $5 – kids are free. It is located in the old depot on Garfield Avenue.

Grand Pacific Junction’s Jingle in the Junction is from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Dec. 2. Tickets are $10. The event includes a festive setting with crafts for kids, photos and Santa. Purchase tickets at https://rb.gy/fuedw4.

The annual Olmsted Falls Cub Scout Pack 102′s Santa’s Secret Shop is from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Dec. 9 at Grace Church, 6941 Columbia Road. Kids can shop with the help of elves in their own area where most items are $10 and less. There is also a silent auction with some great large ticket items. Enjoy entertainment and food will be available to purchase. Santa and Mrs. Claus will be there, too.

Information, please: To include news, tidbits, honors or activities in Olmsted Falls and Olmsted Township, contact Joanne DuMound at jdumound@yahoo.com. She is also on Twitter, @JoanneDuMound. The column’s online version at cleveland.com/olmsted has direct links for many news items.

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