On Wednesday, after almost two months following a serious medical emergency call to the Hamilton County 911 Center, Robert Bean reunited with Hamilton County Emergency Medical Services Paramedic Myron Shroepfer and Advanced EMT Scott Garrison to say, “Thank you for saving my life.”
On Dec. 22, Robert Bean hiked a mile into a wooded area in the northern part of Hamilton County hunting for deer when he suddenly became weak and unable to continue to move onward. Feeling the signs and symptoms of a heart attack, he sat down trying to regain his strength. When no relief came from the tightness in his chest his thoughts were that this may be the last day of his life. Remembering he had placed his cell phone in his coat he dialed his wife and children thinking this would be his last chance to say goodbye. According to his wife, she convinced him to call 911 for help. The Hamilton County 911 Center took Mr. Bean’s call and dispatched an emergency response from HCEMS Medic One to a general location in the northeastern part of Hamilton County.
Arriving in the general area and finding Mr. Bean’s vehicle, HCEMS Medic One asked dispatch to ping his cell phone for possible coordinates to the area he was calling from. Attempting to ping his cell phone, Medic One made the suggestion to dispatch to have him discharge a round from his hunting rifle for a location. Upon hearing the fire round HCEMS Paramedic Myron Shroepfer, Hamilton County Sheriff Officer and Mr. Bean’s son-in-law began their trek into the woods toward the sound. The three, carrying HCEMS essentials for treatment, headed to the location, found the patient and upon checking his vital signs, found he was indeed suffering from a heart attack. Due to his condition, the medical team decided to carry Mr. Bean one mile out of the woods for transportation to a local hospital.
“It was a Godsend that they found me and I am very grateful to the men and women of EMS and law enforcement of Hamilton County. The jobs they do is a thankless job but they do it every day, and they deserve more recognition for their efforts. That’s why my family and I are here today to say thank you for your devotion in working every day and saving lives,” said Mr. Bean.
After recovering from heart surgery in a local hospital, Mr. Bean was able to spend Christmas with his family. “These men and these women cared enough to show compassion and gave me such a wonderful Christmas present, the life of my son,” said Mary Ellen Noyes, Bean’s mother.
“Oftentimes, emergency situations don’t have this type of a positive outcome. However, due to the extra efforts of our personnel, and Mr. Bean’s early activation of the 911 system, this event has resulted in a patient who is able to return to his daily life and enjoy his family for years to come. It is the goal of Hamilton County Emergency Medical Services to provide quality emergency medical care for our community,” said Hamilton County Emergency Medical Services Director Ken Wilkerson. “Being able to share in the thanks of this patient is the reward our employees strive for each time they respond on another emergency call.”