In a heroic act of quick thinking and skilled intervention, Dane North, an off-duty on-call firefighter from Newport Fire Station, played a crucial role in saving a 71-year-old man experiencing cardiac arrest in Saffron Walden. North was on his way home from firefighter training when he received a life-saving alert through the GoodSAM app, an emergency response tool that notifies trained responders of nearby emergencies.
Upon arrival, North found the man’s wife performing CPR, guided over the phone by the Ambulance Service. He immediately took over, providing expert CPR and reassurance.
“I’m so glad I got the alert when I did as I was minutes from the scene,” said Dane North. “It really was a right place, right time situation and I’m so glad the man’s wife acted quickly to begin CPR.”
North, along with a first responder who was a former colleague, administered CPR for a grueling 35 minutes, successfully reviving the man before paramedics arrived to take him to the hospital.
“My training kicked in and it really was exhausting giving CPR for more than 30 minutes, especially after Breathing Apparatus training. But, we couldn’t give up and I’m so glad we persevered and were able to save him,” North reflected.
Dane North also emphasized the importance of public CPR training, advocating for widespread knowledge of the life-saving technique.
“I’d highly recommend everyone does some form of CPR training; you never know when you’ll need it to save a life,” added North.
Newport Fire Station, where North serves, has been recently honored as Station of the Year at the Essex County Fire and Rescue Service’s annual awards, responding to nearly 500 calls last year. North, who also has a career in the military, highlighted the dual role many firefighters play in their communities.
“If you live or work within 5 minutes of an on-call fire station, you could be paid to protect your community as an on-call firefighter too,” North encouraged. “It’s a really rewarding role and I can’t imagine my life without it. Our crew is a close-knit team and it’s great to feel part of something bigger that really helps people. Pop into your local station if you’re keen and chat to some of the people working to keep your community safe, you won’t regret it.”
This incident powerfully illustrates the vital importance of CPR skills and the brave readiness of on-call firefighters who juggle multiple responsibilities while significantly contributing to the safety and well-being of their communities.
Source: Essex County Fire & Rescue
