AFD firefighters honored
Mar. 4—Two members of the Athens Fire Department were honored Friday, Feb. 23, along with a UT Health East Texas ambulance crew.
AFD Cpt. Jeremy Glover, AFD Firefighter Payne Painter, UT Health Paramedic Jacob Metzger, and UT Health EMT April Radke all responded to a medical emergency call in October 2023.
Joe Mahoney, 79, had just finished a walk when he started to feel dizzy and fell in his kitchen. His wife, Ruth, called 9-1-1 and the Athens Fire Department and UT Health East Texas EMS responded.
"They got there quick," said Mr. Mahoney.
The Athens firefighters were able to move Mr. Mahoney from where he was on the floor between the refrigerator and the kitchen island and move him to a stretcher. The four medics suspected a heart attack and began emergency response procedures.
Mr. Mahoney was moved outside and a call was made for an Air 1 helicopter, but one wasn't available at that time. Instead, the UT Health ambulance crew drove Mr. Mahoney to Mother Francis Hospital in Tyler while continuing to provide care.
Mr. Mahoney spent three days in the hospital and then went to rehab. When he finished his rehab, he made sure to come back and thank the medics who saved his life.
"We appreciate you reaching out to us. A lot of the time we don't get to see the outcomes," said UT Health EMS Regional Director Todd Loper.
Mr. Mahoney said he thought about saying thank you throughout his rehab.
"Next month is my 80th birthday. I wouldn't be here if it weren't for them," he said.
"He's one of your biggest success stories," said Mrs. Mahoney, "because he's doing everything he was before the heart attack."
The four medics were each presented with a UT Health EMS Challenge Coin by UT Health EMS Medical Director Dr. Yagnesh Desai for their service.
"We honor a job done excellently with a Challenge Coin," he said.
