3 firefighters honored for saving brother's life

US State News

FORT WORTH, Texas — The Fort Worth Fire Department presented Community Hero Awards to three men who intervened in a life-threatening situation and gave their colleague another chance at life.

On the morning of Sept. 14, John Steria was participating in a physical assessment test at Farrington Field near downtown. Steria is security manager with City Center Security.

As he completed a 400-meter run, Steria collapsed from an apparent heart attack. This event was witnessed by colleagues Jason Torres, Joe Towne and Hector Ramos, who immediately went into action. One called 911. Another retrieved a medical bag and an automatic external defibrillator. The other quickly assessed Steria and began CPR.

Fire Department Engine 6 arrived about three minutes after being dispatched. CPR was in progress and firefighters learned that the AED had delivered a shock. The fire crew took over care of the patient until MedStar arrived a short time later.

"While something went seriously wrong for Mr. Steria that day, a lot of things, thankfully, went right," Fire Chief Rudy Jackson said. "The fact that Mr. Steria is able to join us with his family confirms what the experts know about an event like this: that the key elements to increasing chances of survival are early activation of the 911 system, immediate application of CPR and access and application of an AED. The City of Fort Worth, the Fort Worth Fire Department and MedStar understand the importance of this chain of survival."

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