A firefighter collapsed with a possible heart attack and had his heartbeat reestablished with an AED while responding to a large grass fire in Colorado County Tuesday, Feb. 8, according to a statement from Columbus VFD.

“We were dispatched to a large grass fire off of FM 949 and Pleasant Trails Road,” stated CVFD’s release. “While attacking the fire line a firefighter collapsed with a possible heart attack. It happened in the presences of Columbus, Bernardo and Garwood Firefighters and our on scene EMS crew.”

The unconscious firefighter was quickly tended to by fellow first responders who fought to keep him alive, according to CVFD’s recount.

“The firefighter lost his pulse and the crew sprang into action. They started CPR with CVFD’s AED and oxygen bottle and mask off of our command unit 1470,” read Tuesday’s release. “The AED did (its) job along with the crew. He was loaded in PHI Med 7 air medical helicopter and made the hospital in stable condition.”

The volunteer fire department’s release ended with a token of gratitude for the EMS crew and AED that were available to keep the fireman alive.

“You never know who you might help, even when it’s one of your own. EMS has been coming to all large fire calls for several years now. It paid off in an extreme way,” concluded Tuesday’s statement. “We started carrying the AED for our safety along with basic medical gear. The Columbus Fire Dept now has three AEDs in various units.”

CVFD reported units on scene included Columbus, Bernardo, Cat Spring, Garwood, Eagle Lake, Sheridan, Rock Island and Sealy Fire Departments, Colorado County EMS M1, M2, Sq1, Utl1, Med Command 800, PHI Med 7, Colorado County OEM, Colorado County Commissioner Pct. 3 and Constable Pct. 3.