Firefighters praised for life-saving actions after false alarm in Biddulph
Team helps man suffering heart attack by leisure centre
Firefighters in Biddulph have been commended for their quick actions in helping a man having a heart attack near the Biddulph Leisure Centre after responding to what turned out to be a false alarm for a grass fire.
In June, the firefighters were initially called to attend a grass fire, which was assessed as a false alarm.
While at the scene, they were alerted to a medical emergency involving Brian McGlynn, a 68-year-old from Congleton, who collapsed during a five-a-side football game.
Friends and leisure centre staff immediately began CPR and utilised an on-site defibrillator while calling for emergency services.
The fire crew, flagged down nearby by leisure centre staff, intubated Brian, enabling him to breathe until an ambulance and air ambulance arrived.
Brian was later taken to the hospital, put into an induced coma, and discharged after eight days.
Brian said: “To be honest, my friends said they thought I was a goner; they said I had gone grey and wasn’t responding.
“Then the fire crew managed to get a pipe in my throat and my friends said the colour suddenly came back to my face.
“I’m told it was a great example of how the emergency services all worked together to save me. They brought me back to life.”
Crew Manager Scott Leigh added: “It was an extremely hot day so after realising the reported fire was a false alarm, I made the decision to ask the crew to drive around to meet me at the opposite end of the woods - the Leisure Centre side.
“As fate would have it, whilst driving back to the station, we were flagged down by one of the lifeguards and that is when we made our way into centre to find Brian.
“After establishing an effective airway, we also gave successful compressions which thankfully enabled Brian’s heart to beat again.”
Friend David Mitchell, who was present, said: “The crew assessed what had happened within seconds, I don’t think Brian would have survived without them.”
Since then, Brian visited Biddulph fire station on 4th August to thank the firefighters personally.
Station Manager Rob Hatton expressed pride in the firefighters' actions: “What the crew did that day demonstrates how committed they are to protect our communities from harm – whether that’s responding to a grassland fire, or helping members of the public – they will always do what they can to save lives and support others."
For those interested in careers at Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service, more information can be found on their website.