Swift action by DLA first responders saves an employee’s life

A Defense Supply Center Richmond employee who went into cardiac arrest at work on April 1 returned to the installation June 10 to thank the first responders who brought him back — and to watch them receive top honors for the save.

“There is no mathematical reason whatsoever why I should be here,” said Stephen Dally, addressing the firefighters, paramedics and emergency responders during a ceremony at the base fire station.

The recognition capped a rapid, coordinated response that began with a report of chest pain in Building 34. Assistant Chief of Training and Fire Prevention Will Hock was first on scene and made contact with Dally. “The patient relayed he was not feeling well and was not sure what was wrong, and that he needed help,” Hock said.

Moments later, Dally lost consciousness. “As soon as the patient lost consciousness, I radioed to the other responders to expedite their response to the area,” Hock said.

By the time Fire Department Chief Kenneth Cato arrived, Hock had moved Dally from a chair to the floor and was preparing to start CPR. Fire Capt. Sean Mathiesen began chest compressions while Firefighter-Paramedic Damond Whitaker secured an airway and Cato set up the cardiac monitor and defibrillator.

The monitor showed a lethal rhythm requiring immediate defibrillation. A shock was delivered before the first full CPR cycle ended. Mathiesen resumed compressions as Cato tracked the rhythm. “I noticed a rhythm return and stopped CPR to check the patient for a pulse,” Cato said. “The patient’s pulse had returned and was consistent with the rhythm on the monitor.”

Dally soon began following commands. As responders prepared him for transport to a local hospital, Hock asked for a thumbs up. “He did and I think this provided his team with a sense of relief that he was going to be OK,” Hock said.

“Every doctor, hospital, nurse, specialist, said that I shouldn’t be alive,” Dally told the audience. Mathiesen credited the outcome to seamless teamwork. “Every crew member who responded to this call worked exceptionally well within their scope of practice, which gave the best possible outcome for our patient,” he said.

Five responders received Life Saving Awards for actions that directly saved a life: Mathiesen, Whitaker, Firefighter-EMT Trey Haywood, Hock and Cato. Nine responders received Unit Citations for outstanding team performance that protected life or property. In addition to the Life Saving Award recipients, honorees included Fire Lt. Brad Hudson, Firefighter-EMT Robert Fitch, Firefighter-EMT James Clancy and Firefighter-EMT Linwood Weaver. Hock, who could not attend, had his awards accepted on his behalf.

Cato emphasized that the successful resuscitation depended on every role, from moving equipment to staging vehicles and assisting with patient transport. “While the responders that had patient contact may have conducted interventions that were critical,” he said, “every member of the team performed an important role in this life save.”

Dally urged colleagues to recognize the caliber of the installation’s emergency crews. “Members of the DSCR community should understand that DLA Richmond Fire and Emergency Services personnel are the apex of trained professionals who constantly hone their skill sets so when you are at your moment of utmost need, they are at their best,” Dally said.

“It is a very, very honoring thing to know that when you reach out to those whom you know have your back, they come running,” he said.