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Ellis County honors firefighters and EMS after volunteer’s on-duty collapse and resuscitation
Summary
Ellis County commissioners recognized a volunteer firefighter and the county’s fire/EMS crews for a Feb. 9 resuscitation that officials say saved the life of firefighter Matt Van Dyke; crews used an AED and Van Dyke was airlifted to Wichita for further care before returning to light duty.
Ellis County commissioners on May 12 presented lifesaving awards to county firefighters and EMS personnel involved in a Feb. 9 emergency in which volunteer firefighter Matt Van Dyke collapsed while preparing to respond to an evacuation-threat grass/structure fire near Celebration Community Church.
“It's the best job in the world,” said Darren Myers, Ellis County Fire Chief, as he described how firefighters and EMS personnel found Van Dyke collapsed in the gear room, initiated CPR, applied an automated external defibrillator and transported him to the hospital. Chief Myers said Van Dyke was later flown by EagleMed to Wichita for additional procedures and tests and was on light duty for about eight weeks before returning with no formal restrictions other than being advised not to weld.
Myers named Captain James Younger for directing on-scene efforts and credited firefighters Tanner Herskowitz and Mason Emerson — who first checked on Van Dyke — plus EMS Director Danita Schroeder and EMS technicians who assisted. The commission publicly thanked deputies and staff for their training and for the volunteer service that Myers said “saved his life.”
Commissioners presented awards to Captain Younger, Herskowitz, Emerson and several EMS team members, and commissioners praised the volunteer force for protecting the community and for acting quickly. Chair Neil Younger and other commissioners offered the board’s appreciation to the crew and the family support cited in Chief Myers’ remarks.
