Cattaraugus County Sheriff deputies are being credited with saving a life using an epiPen.

On July 26, Stanley Cizdziel was cutting trees with a friend when they encountered a hive of bees. As they dropped the chainsaw and ran back to the truck, Cizdziel was stung approximately 15-20 times.

That’s the last thing he remembers from the event. Without any warning or symptoms, his friend described how he passed out, his face was swollen and blue, and he was struggling to breath. They laid him down next to the truck as they called 911. His condition was critical as he laid there unresponsive.

“An anaphylactic reaction is a severe allergic reaction where minutes can make the difference between life and death if someone does not receive epinephrine. This is a true time-sensitive medical emergency, and having access to this medication is crucial for survival.”, explained Dr. Brian Walters, Medical Director for the Sheriff’s Office.

Luckily for Cizdziel, this spring the Cattaraugus County Sheriff’s Office trained and equipped deputies with epinephrine auto-injectors, commonly known as EpiPens.

Dispatchers at the Cattaraugus County 911 Center recognized the grave predicament Cizdziel was in from the moment the first 911 call was made. They quickly ascertained that no one with Cizdziel had an EpiPen on scene, and immediately dispatched emergency medical services and routed deputies to the scene.

Deputy Andrew Schumaker arrived within minutes and began assessing and rendering care to Cizdziel, while relaying the crucial information over the radio that he was suffering an anaphylactic reaction and needed epinephrine. Cizdziel was still in and out of consciousness and having trouble breathing.

As Deputy Rachel Zimmer pulled up a minute later, she removed the epinephrine auto-injector from her vest, prepped it, and had it ready for administration as she moved to the patient.

An off duty EMT and friend of Cizdziel was also on-scene and assisted deputies in administering the epinephrine and caring for him until EMS arrived 10 minutes later.

Cizdziel does not recall much from that day. He was unconscious for much of what happened as his blood pressure was critically low and not getting to his brain. Shortly after receiving the epinephrine from deputies, he did briefly regain consciousness but was still confused and having trouble processing what was going on. “All I remember is waking up and seeing badges all around me,” recalls Cizdziel as he describes seeing their badges on their chests and on their shoulder patches.

He was transported to the emergency department where they continued to treat and monitor him for several hours. The emergency department physician told him he would not be alive if deputies had not provided him with epinephrine so quickly. Amazingly, he was able to be released home from the emergency department later that same day.

Every year, deputies are called to respond to allergic reactions in the community. This prompted Sheriff Eric Butler to initiate this new program this spring. Butler said, “Our deputies are always on the road patrolling rural areas of the county. Deputies often arrive on scene to medical emergencies before EMS is available. Providing our personnel with the training and resources to save lives in the community is our priority.”

Several deputies have already responded to similar calls where either the patient was not severe enough to warrant an epinephrine auto-injector, or one had been self-administered by the patient prior to their arrival. But Cizdziel is the first patient that deputies administered epinephrine to.

“Within months of inception, this program has already had the effect we intended. We are grateful for the opportunity to help Stan when he needed us most,” said Sheriff Butler.

Dr. Walters said, “It’s humbling to see how much our deputies truly embrace their medical training because they want to help the community.” In addition to epinephrine auto-injectors, deputies receive recurrent training in first-aid, CPR and automated external defibrillator (AED) use, and carry naloxone (Narcan) for opioid overdoses. Sheriff Butler notes, “We are not just here to enforce the law. We are here to protect the safety and welfare of all residents of the county. That includes assisting in treating their medical emergencies.”

Remarkably, Stan Cizdziel returned to work right away and says he feels great and back to normal.

Doctors told him how incredible it was that he has no residual side effects from the event. He and his wife Kim credit these deputies and the Sheriff’s new epinephrine program for his being here today.

Both Deputy Schumaker and Deputy Zimmer have received a Service Commendation from the Sheriff’s Office for their actions that day. “Honest to God, they saved my life,” expressed Cizdziel.