PAULDING COUNTY, Ga. — A Paulding County firefighter is in the hospital recovering from a heart attack. His own crew jumped in when he went down on a call.
Sergeant Kevin Van Dyke, commanding an engine Thursday night, was first on the scene of a tractor-trailer fire with hazardous and flammable materials and the truck fully engulfed in flames.
“Packed out, full turnout gear, breathing apparatus and they were actively fighting the fire,” said Paulding County Fire Rescue Lt. Steve Mapes.
About 20 minutes in, Van Dyke fell to the ground. His heart stopped; He wasn’t breathing and was in full cardiac arrest.
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“Somebody witnessed him going down,” Mapes said. “They immediately turned to him, took his facepiece off. Checked a pulse, didn’t have a pulse, started CPR.”
They grabbed an AED off the engine and within a minute he was hooked up to the defibrillator.
“They shocked him one time and got a rhythm back and immediately turned care over to an ambulance that was on the scene as well,” Mapes said.
Van Dyke was rushed to a hospital and survived.
It was all thanks to those used to responding to emergencies and providing care, turning the tables to do the same for one of their own.
“Our guys were right there on the scene,” Mapes said. “And if it was going to happen to me, I’d want it to happen with the crew that was there last night.”
And for those who do so much for those they serve everyday, Paulding County Fire Rescue now needs help for Van Dyke.
“Prayers and thoughts from everyone in the community appreciated,” Mapes said.
The 41-year-old was transferred from Paulding County to WellStar Kennestone Hospital in Marietta. He’s stable but still in ICU and has a long road ahead.
He’s been surrounded by his family, wife and two children aged 5 and 9.
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