Honorees

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Year Honored
2001
Honoree
Richard J Stark
Agency
Thornhurst Vol Fire/Res Ambu Sq
Agency City
Thornhurst
Agency State
PA
Last Call
8/2/00
Cause of Death
On-duty Cardiac
Biography
Much is to be said when a leader dies. Of Captain Dick Stark his team stated that he was always encouraging new members during their training and was so supportive of all members during an emergency call. It was the way he lived his life; it was the way he left our lives. When a statement such as this is made, one realizes the importance of his life.<br /> <br /> On August 2, 2000, Thornhurst EMS Captain Dick Stark responded, as crew chief, to an emergency call for a class one patient. Mr. Stark and the ambulance crew stabilized and extricated the patient from the residence. After loading the patient in the ambulance, Mr. Stark took his place in the crew chief seat and suffered what was thought to be a massive MI. While part of the crew continued caring for the initial patient, other crewmembers started emergency care for their Captain. Medics and additional units were called in to assist. Through the crew's professionalism and training, the patient was transported to a nearby hospital and flown to a trauma center, alive. Every attempt was taken to save Captain Dick Stark's life, however he did not survive.<br /> <br /> Dick Stark, 62, began as a Fire Police in 1978 for Thornhurst Volunteer Fire and Rescue in Thornhurst, Pennsylvania. He became an Emergency Medical Technician in 1981 and later became an American Heart certified CPR Instructor. He served as Ambulance Captain for approximately 15 years.<br /> <br /> Richard J. Stark is survived by one daughter, Tracy Stark.<br /> <br /> Honored 2001