On Thursday, January 11, KFD volunteers had recently returned to the firehouse after handling a reported gas leak in town when we were dispatched along with Katonah Bedford Hills Volunteer Ambulance Corps and Westchester EMS to a male unconscious and reportedly not breathing. KFD firefighters were on scene within minutes and found a male in cardiac arrest. Members began CPR and were able to successfully deliver two shocks from one of our AEDs. EMS arrived, provide further pre-hospital care and quick transport to the hospital. Recently we received a phone call from family advising us that the patient had been discharged from the hospital and was successfully recovering at home. At Tuesday's monthly department meeting, the members who provided life saving care on that call were recognized by the Chiefs and presented with certificates and commendation bars to wear on their dress uniforms.

The immediate 911 call, the quick response by KFD volunteers, early defibrillation and CPR, and synchronous teamwork between agencies led to the best ending anyone could hope for. The joint dispatching of KFD and KBHVAC for the most serious life threatening medical emergencies (known as "Echo level” calls), was initiated in 2023.