This time of year is a special time for the Tri-Community Fire Department. Not only is it Christmas time, where we celebrate the birth of our Savior, but it’s also when we have the TCFD Annual Banquet. It’s a special night where members of the department, and their families are honored with a delicious meal and entertainment for their service to the department.
It’s a time of fellowship when the members can come together without it being a monthly training, monthly meeting or even a fire or medical call. It is also at this banquet that the Firefighter/First Responders are recognized for their service, whether it’s Firefighter of the Year, Jr. Firefighter of the Year, Years of Service award or Firefighter who responded to the most calls.
But the most important award is the one given for lives saved. This is the Firefighter/First Responder that has played a part in saving a life. This past year we had a life save that was very special to TCFD, and it involved one of our own.
On May 24, Kyle Walley, along with his son, Logan, and his dad, Stuart Walley, headed to a local pond at a friend’s house. As they arrived at the pond, Stuart told Kyle he had heartburn and was nauseated. Kyle offered to go get him something for it, but Stuart refused, thinking it would go away. After unloading the rods and fixing a hook on Logan’s pole, Kyle noticed his dad still had not made it to the back of the truck.
When Kyle found him still sitting in the truck, he realized it was more than just heartburn when Stuart said “I think I’m in trouble.” Kyle then helped his dad to the passenger side and loaded his son in the backseat. Soon Stuart’s symptoms began to worsen, and he began to experience chest pain, jaw pain, shortness of breath and vomiting, all symptoms of a heart attack when they are combined. Being a first responder, Kyle knew he needed to get his dad to the nearest hospital immediately.
Within no time, Stuart became unresponsive. Kyle performed a sternum rub on Stuart, and he awoke to say a few words before he became unresponsive again. At this time, Kyle dialed 911 because he knew he would need help should his dad go into cardiac arrest. Kyle also used the TCFD handheld radio to notify law enforcement (for escort) and first responders of his exact location at all times.
At times, Kyle found himself screaming at his dad to stay awake because he was going in and out of consciousness. Kyle remembers seeing red and blue lights and feeling a small amount of comfort in knowing there was help should he need to stop and do CPR.
At the intersection of Old Highway 35 North and Airport Road, Stuart became completely unresponsive. Kyle notified dispatch and pulled off the roadway, but something or someone told him, “Don’t stop now.”
“Some say God doesn’t speak to us audibly, but I’m telling you now, God speaks loud enough for you to know exactly what He’s telling you to do,” Kyle said. “That day he told me to drive.”
Kyle then positioned his dad on the console where he could perform CPR with his right hand and drive with his left. After arriving at Marion General Hospital, to a parking lot full of first responders, firefighters and law enforcement, Stuart was stabilized and transferred to Forrest General Hospital. During his transfer to Forrest General, Stuart went into cardiac arrest three times.
After having several blockages repaired through surgery and some time to recover, Stuart was discharged to return home. Upon entering Marion County, a surprise welcome home parade of firetrucks, firefighters and first responders were waiting to escort him home.
It has been several months since this happened, and Stuart is back responding like nothing ever happened and has been for a while now.
Stuart and his family give God the credit for his survival but also give credit to all the first responders and law enforcement for helping him arrive safely at the hospital.
