02/14/2024
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As emergency responders we are trained and ready to respond to almost any type of emergency imaginable. We are never completely prepared however when we are dispatched to an emergency involving one of our own firefighters. On the morning of February 9th one of our members collapsed on the steps while exiting his home. Two of his family members, who are also members of our agency, immediately started CPR and called 911 to report a male in cardiac arrest. The 911 call was taken by a calm, well-trained dispatcher at the Ontario County 911 Center who quickly dispatched help to the scene. He then stayed on the line with the caller until help arrived and ensured that the family was performing effective CPR.
Units that quickly responded to the scene included the Oaks Corners Fire Department, Finger Lakes Ambulance, a deputy from the Ontario County Sheriffs Office, and a New York State Trooper. Personnel from every one of these agencies actively participated in performing CPR and other life-saving measures including both law enforcement officers. After almost 20 minutes of CPR and other measures, responders reported that they had detected a pulse. Mercy Flight, which had already been requested to start towards the scene, was landed in the front yard of the home and transported the patient to a Rochester area hospital. That evening family members reported that the patient was conscious, alert, and communicating at the hospital. The following morning he was even able to post a message on Facebook thanking responders. He is recovering in the hospital at this time. Out of respect for the privacy of this member we will not be relasing his name in this forum.
We would like to take this opportunity to thank the members of OCFD, Finger Lakes Ambulance, Ontario County 911, Ontario County Sheriffs Office, New York State Police, and Mercy Flight Central for your dedication and perseverence. This was truly a situation where a combination of training, equipment, teamwork, and leadership all came together to result in a successful outcome. We would especially like to thank the 15 members of the OCFD that responded including our medical director and our department chaplain.
Thank you to EVERYONE for your work to save the life of our brother firefighter.
We would also like to take this moment to recommend that anyone who has never taken a CPR class, or hasn’t been to one in a while, please consider doing so. Early CPR and a quick response by EMS definitely played a part in saving this patients life.
