Felce alive, thanks to efforts of first responders
Kyle Felce and his wife, Lori, center, shared their thanks for the emergency responders who helped save Kyle’s life in March, as part of a patient save celebration May 20. Those recognized, left to right, are DeWayne Hanson, Chippewa Falls paramedic; Christie Naberhaus, Cadott Community Ambulance; Kyle; Lori; Brittany Walters, Cadott Community Ambulance; Rick Sommerfeld, Cadott Community Ambulance; and Tim Walters, Chippewa County dispatcher. Not pictured, is Joel Sternitzky, Chippewa Falls paramedic. Photo by Julia Wolf
By Julia Wolf
Kyle Felce, Cadott, is a survivor. Felce survived a massive heart attack, March 3, thanks to the quick actions of his wife, Lori, and a group of local emergency responders.
A patient save celebration took place May 20, to recognize all the first responders who made the save possible. The celebration also aligned with National EMS Appreciation Week, which took place May 16-22.
“It was a really good outcome for a scary situation,” said Chris Wright, Cadott Ambulance director. “Starting with the phone call, onto dispatch, onto our EMS crews, and then at the hospital.”
Wright says the save also involved community effort, as the emergency crews also used a new mechanical device to do chest compressions, at the correct amount and depth of compressions needed, which the community helped fund- raise for.
“Everything fell into place that day,” said Tamee Foldy, Chippewa County Emergency Communications Center director.
The day of the emergency, Lori heard Kyle fall, started CPR and called for help. Tim Walters answered the call. Lori was familiar with Walters, as he was the ambulance director when she served on the service. Lori says it was comforting to know the person on the other end of the line.
Foldy says Walters’ calm and reassuring demeanor helped Lori through her panic.
Chippewa County Sheriff Jim Kowalczyk also recognized dispatcher Walters, not just for a job well done March 3, but for 21 years of service to Chippewa County.
“Dispatch is kind of a waiting game,” said Kowalczyk. “It’s wait, wait, wait, and then, all of a sudden, chaos.”
Wright says the crew members on the scene, Brittany Walters, Christie Naberhaus and Rick Sommerfeld, have about 40 years of experience, combined. DeWayne Hanson, at the time a paramedic with Chippewa Falls Fire and Emergency Services, and now an instructor at CVTC, was also recognized for his role.
“The EMTs that were on the scene, I mean, you guys were out of the garage in six minutes,” said Foldy. “Hands down, that was amazing.”
Lori was also recognized for performing CPR, even in a stressful situation, with Kowalczyk adding that she deserves an award, as well.
Foldy says they have calls that require CPR every day, but not all have the same, amazing outcome as Kyle had.
“This is a big deal for all of us,” said Foldy.
