Area first responders gather around Todd Martin, obscured in the photo, as they work to treat him for a heart issue Nov. 4 at his home along Monticello Road in Rochester. Todd’s wife, Jan, is grateful to the firefighters, police and medics who responded for helping save Todd’s life. Photo provided by Jan Martin.

By Leah Sander
InkFreeNews

ROCHESTER — A Rochester woman is grateful to area first responders for helping save her husband’s life after he had a heart issue in November.

Jan Martin thanked local police, Lutheran EMS, Parkview Samaritan helicopter transport staff, the Rochester Fire Department and Fulton County Dispatch for their quick response Nov. 4 to help her husband, Todd.

Jan said her husband was at home that day with her and was taking it easy, with him having already had heart surgery earlier in the fall.

He came inside after supervising the couple’s son doing work outside.

“I’m just really tired,” he told Jan, she said.

Around the same time, a package arrived at the house from Amazon, which caused Jan to stay up at the house instead of going outside like she’d originally planned.

She heard her dogs bark and found Todd had collapsed in the kitchen. The couple later found out that was due to Todd’s left main coronary artery being 80% blocked.

Jan called 911. Though she’s a former nurse, she said the dispatcher’s instructions were helpful to her as she did CPR.

She noted first responders arrived at the couple’s home along Monticello Road in five minutes.

“The medics were so well trained,” she noted.

First responders utilized a LUCAS device, which does automatic chest compressions, on Todd. Parkview Samaritan also came quickly, taking Todd to Lutheran Hospital in Fort Wayne.

Jan said all the first responders “really worked as a team.”

Today, Todd is improving, with doctors noting it will take a number of months to build up his strength.

“He’ll be doing cardiac rehab soon,” said Jan.

“We are living a miracle every day,” she added.

She emphasized the importance of CPR and doing it early.

For those who want to learn CPR, the Rochester Fire Department offers classes to the public, with more information on the department’s Facebook page. The only cost is a $25 fee for the actual certificate, said Rochester Fire Chief Tom Butler.

The couple are originally from Leesburg in Kosciusko County. Jan said she was happy to find that a smaller county, such as Fulton, still has excellent medical services.

She mentioned she was grateful Fulton County is planning to renew its contract with Lutheran EMS, noting county leaders “should never sacrifice the service that we have now.”