A senate RESOLUTION

TO RECOGNIZE AND HONOR LIEUTENANT/PARAMEDIC MATT DOMANOWSKI OF THE CITY OF BEAUFORT/TOWN OF PORT ROYAL FIRE DEPARTMENT FOR DECISIVELY AND COURAGEOUSLY TAKING ACTION THAT SAVED THE LIFE OF A GUNSHOT VICTIM ON NOVEMBER 1, 2023, AND TO EXPRESS THE DEEPEST GRATITUDE OF THE SOUTH CAROLINA SENATE FOR LIEUTENANT DOMANOWSKI'S SELFLESS SERVICE.

Whereas, in the early morning of November 1, 2023, Lieutenant/Paramedic Matt Domanowski of the City of Beaufort/Town of Port Royal Fire Department was asleep at home and off duty when the fire department's incident-reporting software went off on his phone. The report given him stated that there was a gunshot wound in Abberly Point Apartments, where he lives; and

Whereas, Matt immediately got dressed and turned on his radio, at which time he heard over the radio that a young male, a Marine, had been shot several times. Matt then proceeded to walk to the scene. Having heard on the radio that the scene was secure, he walked up to the patient, who was lying on the ground with several gunshot wounds, semiconscious, and having extreme difficulty breathing; and

Whereas, when Matt saw Corporal Kierian Kirby of the Town of Port Royal Police Department start placing a chest seal on the patient, Matt grabbed a pair of gloves and assisted Officer Kirby with placing the chest seal on the patient's open sucking chest wound. Once it was on the patient, Matt started to assess the injuries, noting the chest wound, along with a leg wound and a wrist wound. At this time, the highest priority was the chest wound; and

Whereas, shortly after, a fire engine arrived on the scene, and Matt immediately began to use its equipment. He listened to lung sounds and noted absent lung sounds on the left side, so he asked for a 16-gauge needle to do needle decompression. He found the correct placement and put the needle in through the patient's chest wall to help with his breathing. This was the first needle decompression in the history of the City of Beaufort/Town of Port Royal Fire Department, and it ultimately saved the victim's life. Matt immediately received air return that he felt and saw against his glove. He then placed a 16-gauge IV in the patient's left arm and began giving the patient fluids, due to the amount of blood loss he was experiencing; and

Whereas, as a result of his distinguished acts of bravery, Lieutenant/Paramedic Matt Domanowski has received several awards, including a lifesaving award from the United States Marine Corps, presented by Base Commanding Officer Mark Bortnem of Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort; and

Whereas, with great pride, the members of the South Carolina Senate add their united voice of praise to the many encomiums flowing in to salute the courage, lifesaving skill, and dedication of Lieutenant/Paramedic Matt Domanowski. Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the Senate:

That the members of the South Carolina Senate, by this resolution, recognize and honor Lieutenant/Paramedic Matt Domanowski of the City of Beaufort/Town of Port Royal Fire Department for decisively and courageously taking action that saved the life of a gunshot victim on November 1, 2023, and express the deepest gratitude for Lieutenant Domanowski's selfless service.

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to Lieutenant/Paramedic Matt Domanowski.

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