close
close

Slinger Fire Department saves firefighter from heart attack

Volunteer firefighters in Slinger rushed to help one of their own after a firefighter's heart stopped in a firetruck on the way to a call. Everyone at the Slinger Volunteer Fire Department has their reasons for wanting to be a firefighter. “The community has given me so much, I just want to give back. On someone's worst day, I can change their day,” said volunteer firefighter Jeff Westphal. Westphal didn't expect that on his own “worst day,” the same people he works with to save lives would return the favor. “It felt like I was driving in slow motion, and yet so fast,” said Slinger Fire Capt. Timothy Roskopf as he recalled saving Westphal's life. Westphal was in a firetruck on July 27, about to leave the station for a call, when he lost consciousness. Roskopf and other firefighters saw him fall to the ground and immediately responded. Roskopf said he began CPR within a minute of Westphal losing consciousness. “I reached over and felt for a pulse – nothing. I don't even remember jumping out of the truck and going to the other side to pull him out,” Roskopf said. In addition to CPR, crews said they shocked Westphal's heart with a defibrillator within three minutes of him losing consciousness. Paramedics from Lifestar Emergency Medical Services arrived and took Westphal to the hospital, where doctors credited the quick response with saving his life. According to Westphal, doctors said his heart had an electrical problem and stopped beating. Westphal said they put a defibrillator in his chest, but he doesn't expect any negative long-term effects from this medical incident. “I'm a giver. I don't like to take. So hopefully when I get better, I can give more,” Westphal said. The Slinger Fire Department is taking advantage of this to promote training in CPR. According to the American Heart Association, immediate CPR can double or triple a person's chances of survival.

SLINGER, Wis. —

Volunteer firefighters in Slinger rushed to the aid of one of their own after a firefighter's heart stopped while en route to a call in a fire truck.

Everyone at the Slinger Volunteer Fire Department has their reasons for wanting to become a firefighter.

“The community has given me so much that I just want to give back. On someone's worst day, I can change their day,” said volunteer firefighter Jeff Westphal.

Westphal didn't expect that on his “worst day,” the same people he works with to save lives would return the favor.

“It felt like I was moving in slow motion, and yet it was so fast,” said Slinger Fire Captain Timothy Roskopf as he recalled saving Westphal's life.

On July 27, Westphal was sitting in a fire engine and was about to leave the station for a call when he lost consciousness. Roskopf and other firefighters saw him fall to the ground and immediately took action.

Roskopf said he began resuscitating Westphal within a minute of him losing consciousness.

“I reached out and felt for his pulse – nothing. I don't even remember jumping out of the truck and going to the other side to pull him out,” Roskopf said.

In addition to CPR, the crew shocked Westphal's heart with a defibrillator within three minutes of him losing consciousness. Lifestar paramedics arrived and took Westphal to the hospital, where doctors credited the quick response with saving his life.

According to Westphal, doctors said his heart had an electrical problem and stopped beating. Westphal said a defibrillator was inserted into his chest, but he does not expect any long-term negative effects from this medical incident.

“I'm a giver. I don't like to take. So when I get better, hopefully I can give more,” Westphal said.

The Slinger Fire Department is taking advantage of this to promote training in CPR. According to the American Heart Association, immediate CPR can double or triple a person's chances of survival.

You may also like...