By TONY GUERRERO
Hays Post
What began as a response to a reported fire quickly turned into a life-or-death rescue for one Ellis County firefighter before crews ever left the station.
Ellis County Fire Chief Darin Myers recounted what he called a success story during Tuesday’s Ellis County Commission meeting before Ellis County EMS and Fire Department personnel were honored for their roles in helping save a life.
At about 4 p.m. Feb. 9, the Ellis County Fire Department was dispatched to a grass fire threatening a structure near Celebration Community Church. As firefighters geared up and boarded the fire engine, firefighter Tanner Herskowitz noticed firefighter Matt VanDyke was taking longer than usual to get ready.
“He went to check on him over where his protective gear is stored on the rack and they found him collapsed on the floor,” Myers said. “Herskowitz got more help. Firefighter Mason Emerson and Captain James Younger were there as well.”
Firefighters quickly gathered a medical bag and an automated external defibrillator, then called for EMS assistance.
“By the time EMS Director Danita Schroeder got there, Matt’s condition continued to deteriorate,” Myers said.
Once EMS arrived, firefighters made the difficult decision to leave VanDyke with EMS personnel while they responded to the reported fire.
After EMS personnel took over patient care, VanDyke stopped breathing, and EMS personnel lost his pulse.
CPR and respirations were started, followed by defibrillation shocks from a cardiac monitor. EMS was able to restore VanDyke’s heartbeat before transporting him to HaysMed, where he remained for several hours.
Myers then informed VanDyke’s parents about the situation.
“They were tough. They were handling it very good for not knowing what was going on with their son in the emergency room,” Myers said. “They were there quick to be with Matt, but after that, Matt was flown out later that night to Wichita.”
VanDyke was released from the hospital about a week later with no neurological deficits and returned home. Myers said VanDyke has since been cleared by doctors to continue serving with the department.
“As of today, no restrictions except that he can’t weld on the farm,” Myers said. “Best case scenario is being able to walk away after all this with his life and just not being able to weld anymore.”
Myers added EMS personnel were already inside the building when VanDyke experienced the medical emergency and said everyone was there at the right time.
“I’m extremely lucky to be here today,” VanDyke said at the meeting before helping present awards to those involved in saving his life.
Captain Younger, firefighter Emerson and firefighter Herskowitz received the Lifesaving Commendation, awarded to firefighters who use exceptional judgment and go above and beyond expectations to save a life.
EMS Director Schroeder, Captain Elea Cook, paramedic Kelly Depiesse and EMT Dawson VonFeldt received the EMS Field Save Award. A “field save” occurs when a patient regains a pulse in the field and survives hospital discharge with little or no neurological impairment.
This is a rare occurrence for EMS providers. The average survival rate for out-of-hospital cardiac arrest is about 10%.
“I’ve been in the fire service for quite a while now,” VanDyke said. “For me, it’s a lot of gratitude for being on the receiving side of it instead of being on the giving side of the emergency situations we are in every day. It’s very humbling to be here today.”