Firefighters Save One of Their Own

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Gaston County, North Carolina firefighters had a big scare Sunday night during a mutual aid call at a fire that had nothing to do with the blaze. The fire from a burning storage unit that spread to a nearby mobile home was under control when Capt. Jim Smarr of the Tryonota Volunteer Fire Department collapsed, according to the Gaston Gazette.

"The engineer that was pumping our truck told me Jimmy went down. I went over to him and he was in full-blown seizure," said Kevin Moore.

Firefighters began delivering oxygen and realized Smarr was in cardiac arrest. "He had no pulse at all," said firefighter Matt Kanupp.

Assistant Chief Shane Towery delivered chest compressions, then a shock using an automated external defibrillator, or AED. Smarr started breathing again and regained consciousness.

"I truly believe that the AED saved that man's life," said Towery. It was the first time Agriculture Center Volunteer Fire Department (Ag Center) firefighters had used the device, which they recently acquired recently with grant money.

"It was pretty extraordinary," said Kanupp. "We went to the hospital afterward and he was almost back to normal. He recognized me, called me by name, and told me how appreciative he was."

Firefighters from these departments work together regularly. Firefighter Willie Storie said years of training kicked in in the emergency situation. Each of the four firefighters who assisted Smarr had at least 10 years experience, according to the paper.

"You do what you're trained to do," said Storie. "All the chips fell into place that night. I'm just happy he's OK."

"That's the cool thing about being a firefighter," said Ag Center Capt. Rob Smith. "If one of our guys goes down, we're there for each other."

Smarr is hospitalized in good condition.


Author:Barbara Brooks - FDNNTV.com