A Cole County man got to say thank you to the team of emergency responders whose actions saved his life.
"It feels so good to be able say thank you," Roger Baston said. "You guys rock."
Roger and his wife, Bev, came to the Cole County Ambulance Service Base on Friday afternoon to express their gratitude.
On the evening of Nov. 29, the 911 Cole County Ambulance communications center was called to Roger's home on Joseph Drive when he had a heart attack.
Missouri Highway Patrol Trooper Maryln Dickens and Cole County Sheriff's Department Cpl. John Fullmer and Deputy Jacob Goetz got on the scene within five minutes of hearing the dispatch. There they found Roger unresponsive in a recliner.
The law officers moved Roger to the floor and started CPR.
"That was a long three minutes," Fullmer said. "I was glad to see the ambulance guys get there."
Cole County first responders and ambulance crews arrived on the scene and assumed care of Roger. They used a recently installed LUCAS device, which applies chest compressions and is designed to improve outcomes of victims of sudden cardiac arrest. The medical crew started an IV on Roger and administered drugs within three minutes of getting on the scene.
As they prepared to move Roger into the ambulance, they got his pulse back.
Roger was taken to St. Mary's where, a few days later, doctors performed a bypass. He was released from the hospital in early January and has very minimal effects after what he went through.
"The nurses and the doctors couldn't believe how I came out of it," Roger said.
"You were the first person we used the LUCAS on," Cole County EMT Kodi Phillips said. "Getting a pulse is quite a bit, but to have someone walk out of the hospital is huge."
"They kept me calm," Bev said. "Deputy Goetz had a big job to do, but he helped me making phone calls just letting me know things would be OK."
"I'm just excited about his operation and what you guys do," Roger said to the first responders. "I work at the Capital View Station Post Office just across the street from you guys, and when I hear the sirens, I have a whole new appreciation for what you all do."
The 15 individuals involved in getting Roger the treatment he needed have been nominated for a Red Cross Emergency Medical Assistance Award. The last line of the nomination summed up what emergency officials felt after going through this.
"The positive outcome in this situation is the result of exceptional teamwork and professionalism displayed by all responders. Although representing four separate organizations, all involved functioned as one team and it is because of that team this opportunity exists."