[Trigger Warning]
Suffolk County police recently saved the life of 72-year-old Greg Kronrad, who was suffering from life-threatening anaphylactic shock after a bee sting. This remarkable rescue happened just two days after police cars in the county were equipped with epinephrine auto-injectors as part of a new program. The quick response of the officers underscores the vital importance of having immediate access to life-saving epinephrine in emergencies.
Kronrad was working at his auto-parts business in Wyandanch when a bee sting caused a severe allergic reaction. The incident, which could have been fatal, highlighted the importance of the new initiative’s timing. “We probably wouldn’t be talking right now if I had to wait for the paramedics or if I had gotten stung three days prior,” Kronrad told The Post, emphasizing the narrow window of opportunity for his survival. His case represents the first successful use of an epinephrine auto-injector under this new Suffolk County program.
After being stung, Kronrad collapsed inside his shop, struggling to breathe for nearly 15 minutes before he was able to call his son, Kevin, who then dialed 911. The officers, who were later recognized for their heroic actions, arrived on the scene and found Kronrad on the floor in distress. Without hesitation, they administered two doses of epinephrine, stabilizing him and ultimately saving his life.
The new policy that enabled this rescue is directly linked to “Gio’s Law,” named in memory of 14-year-old Giovanni Cipriano, who tragically died in 2013 from anaphylactic shock. Although New York State passed legislation in 2019 to equip police cars with epinephrine auto-injectors, Suffolk County was initially excluded due to technical language in the bill. This law was intended to exclude only New York City, which had its own program.
In 2023, the state amended the law, giving municipalities with populations over one million the option to opt into the program. Suffolk County became the first to do so. This decision to join the program just proved to be a life-saving one, demonstrating a successful example of government action in response to a public health need.
State Senator Dean Murray commented on the incident, stating, “This is what happens when the government works as intended.” The implementation of this program, which was a long time coming for Suffolk County, has already proven its worth by providing first responders with the tools necessary to act quickly in life-or-death situations.
The law’s original exclusion of Suffolk, Nassau, and Westchester counties alongside New York City was an unintended consequence of the technical language in the 2019 bill. However, with Suffolk County now leading the way by opting in, it sets a precedent for other counties to follow suit, ensuring that more individuals at risk of anaphylactic shock can receive timely and potentially life-saving treatment from the first responders on the scene.
Our heartfelt congratulations and thanks to Georgina Cornago, whose tireless efforts are saving lives in memory of her son, Gio.
