TEAMWORK and SAVING JIMMY LOOR

L to R; Fire Fighter/Medic Technician James R. Porter, Fire Fighter/Medic Michael S. Williams, Fire Captain Ricardo L. Summers, Fire Fighter/Medic Christine J. Wrzesinski, Jimmy Loor and the Staff from AAMC.

MEDIA CONTACT: Mark E. Brady, Chief Spokesperon, 240-508-7930, MEBrady@co.pg.md.us

On Thursday, August 19, 2010, a recently retired civilian employee of the Prince George’s County Fire/Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Department suffered a medical emergency similar to those that he dealt with countless times during his 34-year career. Jim Loor, 56 years-of-age; had officially retired from the Fire/EMS Department on July 1, 2010, having spent the majority of his career working in the Bureau of Fire/Rescue Communications where he filled numerous roles, one of which to answer incoming 911 calls for help; just like the one his son placed when Jimmy knew he needed help.

Jim Loor is also a long-time volunteer firefighter and during his tenure with the Fire/EMS Department worked in the Logistics and Supply Office as well as Apparatus Maintenance and knew just about all the firefighters and medics employed by the Department, including the ones that helped save his life. 


Firefighter/Medics from Pointer Ridge Fire/EMS Station #843; Fire Fighter/Medic Technician James R. Porter and Fire Captain Ricardo L. Summers, and Paramedic Ambulance #816 from the Northview Community Fire/EMS Station with a crew of Fire Fighter/Medic Michael S. Williams and Fire Fighter/Medic Christine J. Wrzesinski were quick to respond to Loor’s Bowie home. Upon arrival, medics performed a patient assessment and documented vital signs. Loor was placed on a 12-lead EKG where paramedics detected the tell-tale signs in his heart rhythm that he was suffering from a myocardial infarction – a heart attack. Paramedics started two IV’s, placed him on oxygen and had a medic consultation with physicians at the Anne Arundel Medical Center (AAMC) in Annapolis. Paramedics conveyed their interpretation of the EKG over the phone as medic units had not yet received the technology to transmit EKG’s to a hospital. Fire Fighter/Medic Michael Williams provided a thorough consult and accurate interpretation and conveyance of the EKG to the ER staff at AAMC. Because of the accuracy of the medical consult and despite not having an EKG in hand – emergency room physicians alerted the Cardiac Cath Team while the patient was en route, saving valuable time. While en route to the hospital, at Route 50 and Route 301, Loor went unconscious and medics quickly assessed his heart went into a ventricular fibrillation. Medics worked feverishly to restore a normal rhythm and successfully defibrillated the patient while administering medication per Maryland Protocol and physician consultation.

Upon arrival at the AAMC Emergency Department the patient made a brief stop before being swiftly taken to the cath lab. Valuable time was saved by paramedic’s initiating a second IV and early recognition and notification to the hospital thorough consult and accurate interpretation and conveyance of the EKG. The patient went on to the cardiac cath lab where he had a stent placed for a completely block coronary artery. Due to the excellent teamwork of medics and staff at the AAMC the “door to balloon” time in this case was 30 minutes, compared to a national standard time of 90-minutes. Time is critical in these cases as heart muscles will sustain additional damage the longer the time it takes to receive treatment in a Cath Lab. Loor was released from the hospital on Sunday, August 22, 2010.

On Tuesday, September 7, 2010, Jim Loor and wife, Marlene, met the team of paramedics and hospital staff that saved his life. Jim and Marlene greeted and thanked each member of the team that saved his life. While still under doctor’s care, Jimmy Loor stated that he feels great and is still getting accustomed to his new way of life.

A week after this incident, paramedic units were equipped with the Blue Tooth Technology that allows them to transmit EKG’s directly to the hospital. This technology was the result of a grant from the Southern Maryland Hospital Center.

Fire Fighter/Medic Christine J. Wrzesinski gives Jimmy Loor a hug as Fire Fighter/Medic Williams and Lieutenat Ross Crampton look on.

PGFD Incident Summary - Week of September 5, 2010

incident summary for week of 9-5-10 -

Off-Duty Fire Captain Credited with Saving 2 Occupants from House Fire

Fire Fighter/Medic Captain James Jiron

MEDIA CONTACT: Mark E. Brady, Chief Spokesperson, 240-508-7930, mebrady@co.pg.md.us

An off-duty member of the Prince George’s County Fire/Emergency Medical Services Department is being credited with preventing injuries and, perhaps, saving lives, over the weekend in Woodstock, Va. Acting Fire Fighter/Medic Captain James Jiron entered a burning home, alerted and removed 2 occupants unaware that their home was on fire. The Press Release from the Shenandoah County VA Department of Fire and Rescue reads:

Shenandoah County

Department of Fire and Rescue

600 N. Main Street, Suite 109

Woodstock, VA 22664

(540) 459-6167 voice

(540) 459-6192 fax

Press Release

September 12, 2010

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Off-duty firefighter saves two men from duplex fire

WOODSTOCK, VA – An off-duty firefighter from Maryland alerted two men to a fire in their duplex apartment on Saturday, Sept. 11, in Woodstock, Va. Both men escaped unhurt.

Captain James Jiron, of Prince Georges County Fire/EMS, was at a family celebration across the street from 214 Dingledine Street when he stepped outside and noticed black smoke near the back of an apartment building. He yelled to family members to call 911 and then he and his father-in-law began looking for a hose.

Jiron went in the front door of the apartment, yelling that he was with the fire department. He found one man asleep on a couch on the first floor. A second man was upstairs, and Jiron warned him of the fire as well. Both men escaped without injuries. As the fire continued to burn, Jiron turned a table on its end and moved it against a doorway to slow the fire’s spread.

Meanwhile, Jiron’s father-in-law sprayed a fire extinguisher on the flames. A brush fire truck from the Virginia Department of Forestry was in the area, and its water supply kept the fire getting worse until the Woodstock Fire Department arrived.

“Jiron’s attentiveness, training and quick action prevented serious injuries and possibly saved lives today,” said John Collins, public information officer for Shenandoah County Department of Fire and Rescue.

While the building did have smoke detectors, they were not working.

“Of course, we always want to remind people to have smoke detectors on every level of their house, in their bedrooms and hallways,” Collins said. “And if you have smoke detectors, be sure that they’re working and that they have fresh batteries.”

A total of six people reside at the address. The Red Cross is assisting them with temporary housing.

The Shenandoah County fire marshal is investigating the cause of the fire.

Responding to the 3:15 p.m. call were Woodstock Fire Department, Toms Brook Volunteer Fire Department, Edinburg Volunteer Fire Company, Woodstock Volunteer Rescue Squad, and Shenandoah County Department of Fire and Rescue.

CONTACT:


John Collins, Public Information Officer


Cell: 864-313-8686

Prince George’s County Fire Chief Eugene A. Jones, upon hearing of Jiron’s actions, stated, “I am proud of the actions of Captain Jiron. Even though he was off-duty and without the protection of personal protective equipment, he went without hesitation to help others in trouble.” Jones concluded, “His actions are commendable and are held within the highest tradition of the Fire Service.”

Fire Fighter/Medic Captain Jiron, 34 years of age, is a resident of Gaithersburg and a 11-year member of the Prince George's County Fire/EMS Department.  He is currently assigned to the Beltsville Fire/EMS Station #831.