Two months ago, Bill Bowers was working on his roof when he told his wife, Martha, that he wasn’t feeling well. As Martha called 911, Bill lost consciousness as he went into sudden cardiac arrest.
“I called and I was given instructions,” Martha said. “It was a difficult time, but I just had a calm and a peace that they (paramedics and firefighters) were going to do the best that they could for him.”
On Tuesday, the Bowers family gathered at Fire Station 12 to thank the first responders who saved his life.
“They got me to the hospital. I had cardiac arrest,” Bowers said. “I went to the hospital, and they took care of me there. We're just glad to still be here and be together. We celebrated our 50th anniversary about a month after that happened, which made it even extra special.”
Bowers thanked the Kissimmee Fire Department, the 911 operator, and the police officer that responded.
“We just feel like God had everybody in the right place to get there in the right time to ensure that everything worked out as well as it possibly could,” he said.
Kissimmee Fire Department Lieutenant Jeff Miller presented Life-Saving Awards to those who responded to the Bowers call.
“Due to the dedication and experience of our EMS crew, his heart was restarted, and he was brought back from the brink of death, enabling him to celebrate his 50th wedding anniversary with his wife,” Miller said. “This event is a testament to the crucial role each of our EMS teams play in our community. Their professionalism, quick thinking, and unwavering commitment to saving lives are what make them true heroes in a time of crisis.
Today, Mr. Bowers stands before us living proof of the profound impact our EMS crew has on individuals and their families.”
Dr. Ayanna Walker, Medical Director of Osceola EMS, said seeing Bowers doing well is a boost to the first responders.
“We look at cardiac arrest, and we look at our rates of ROSC, we look at times of hands-on-chest for CPR. It's always times and percents. But when we get a chance to actually see what that percent looks like in the form of a person," she said. "It's just night and day. It really does show why we train so much on this. It's just so moving and so touching to see that you were able to get a second chance.”
