On July 15, 2026, Acadian Ambulance presented Meritorious Service Awards to 17 Acadiana first responders, recognizing their lifesaving teamwork responding to a cardiac arrest at Festival International in April.
On Thursday, April 23, a 70-year-old woman attending the festival went into cardiac arrest. Within one minute of the woman’s collapse, officers with the Lafayette Police Department began administering CPR. They were quickly joined by on-site Lafayette Fire Department firefighters, Acadian Ambulance EMS crew members, and three off-duty participants of Acadian’s Explorer program for high school students.
After 12 minutes and two successful defibrillations, the woman regained consciousness and was transported to a nearby emergency room. She was discharged a few days later with no further complications.
“Throughout this incident, the team maintained exceptional composure under immense pressure,” said Brandi Leonard, quality improvement coordinator for Acadian Ambulance’s Hub City district. “These first responders’ outstanding teamwork, leadership, and seamless collaboration across all responding departments secured a successful outcome.”
“It also represents the shared commitment of our organization and our partner agencies to clinical excellence and compassionate care.”
The Meritorious Service Award recipients, and their respective agencies, were:
Lafayette Police Department:
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Sara Leger
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Dominique Morgan
Lafayette Fire Department:
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Trent Boullion
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Monrell Broussard
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Francisco Lopez
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Payton Savoy
Acadian Explorer Program:
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Eli Anderson
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Cohl DeRoussel
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Oliver Perry
Acadian Ambulance:
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Christine Bourgeois
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Paul Brasseaux
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Raquel Gautreaux
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Jayden Horky
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Garrett Kent
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Paul Martin
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Joseph Pfalzgraf
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Gavin Thibodeaux
Acadian’s Meritorious Service Award is a prestigious distinction given to individuals whose exceptional performance and clinical precision have directly resulted in the preservation of life.
Leonard presented the awards in a ceremony at Acadian’s National EMS Academy.
