Detroit firefighters restart woman's heart

Firefighters use defibrillator to save woman's life

DETROIT – Firefighters were rushing a woman from a burning home Friday morning on Marquette Street when suddenly her heart stopped.

The Detroit Fire Department now arms firefighters with defibrillators, which they take on every run. It was that device which helped get the woman's heart beating before she was rushed to a hospital.

"She collapsed on the scene," said Chief Kenneth Sunisloe.

The firefighters had to quickly transition from putting out a fire to bringing a woman back to life.

"The first fire units immediately checked her out and started CPR on her and used the AEDs. She was in cardiac arrest and they transported her with a pulse," said Sunisloe.

Neighbors described the first few moments as they heard one tenant yell for help.

"She was screaming her house was on fire. I'm like, 'wow.' I didn't even understand what she was saying at first," said Norma Austin, a neighbor.

Firefighters were able to hold the flames to a first-floor kitchen while simultaneously tending to the woman who had collapsed.

Detroit EMS arrived and took over as firefighters made quick work of the fire which, at this point, appears to be an accident.

About 300 out of 900 Detroit firefighters have received training with the defibrillator. All of them will be trained by the end of the year, according to the department.

The woman was taken to Detroit Receiving Hospital as a priority one patient with major smoke inhalation. Her condition is not known at this time.


About the Author:

Jason is Local 4’s utility infielder. In addition to anchoring the morning newscast, he often reports on a variety of stories from the tragic, like the shootings at Michigan State, to the off-beat, like great gas station food.