EAST BRANDYWINE — When Greg Kohlmaier went into cardiac arrest three weeks ago at his home in East Brandywine Township, his wife knew every second counted. She knows a little about medical emergencies because her husband is the EMS captain of East Brandywine Fire Company.
Earlier this week, Kohlmaier was greeted at his home by emergency service personnel from the East Brandywine Fire Company, Minquas Ambulance, East Brandywine Police and county hospital medical staff of Chester.
On February 7, while at home, Kohlmaier suffered sudden cardiac arrest. His wife, Karen, who was also at home, immediately called 911 and within five minutes volunteers from the East Brandywine Fire Company, or EBFC, as well as officers from the East Brandywine Police Department were on the scene. place and immediately started CPR. Shortly after arriving, paramedics from the Minquas Fire Company in Downingtown arrived on the scene and began Advanced Life Support Intervention, or ALS.
Kohlmaier was rushed to Chester County Hospital. After CPR and five defibrillations, EMS personnel were able to recover Kohlmaier’s pulse. Doctors continued to provide him with the best care, and after just 24 hours, doctors and his family believed he was starting to respond.
By the morning of February 10, approximately 68 hours after suffering his cardiac event, he was conscious and alert and was speaking with doctors and his family.
According to the American Heart Association, approximately 350,000 cases of cardiac arrest occur each year outside of a hospital, and the survival rate is less than 12%. Quality CPR can double or triple the chances of survival.
According to EBFC President John Edwards, the 911 system was activated in a timely manner by Kohlmaier’s wife.
“Early intervention by law enforcement and EBFC volunteers was a critical aspect of this positive outcome,” Edwards said.
He also said Kohlmaier is an accomplished community servant who has dedicated countless hours of his life to helping others, most recently receiving the Chester County EMT of the Year award in 2021.
“He is loved by the law enforcement, fire and emergency medical services communities because of his kindness, compassion, humility and love for his job,” Edwards said.
Kohlmaier, 73, is retired. In his new era, he decided to volunteer with the fire company and attend EMT school where he found a second calling. He has been volunteering with EBFC since 2014 and was promoted to EMS Captain in 2017. During that time, he has fielded over 50% of all calls each year.
Kohlmaier said he has no recollection of the events that happened that day, only what everyone told him. He said he placed four heart stents in 2005, and two of them deteriorated and had to be replaced by Chester County cardiologists.
“The police department and the East Brandywine Fire Company arrived and started quality CPR, applied an AED within five minutes,” Kohlmaier said. “It was the key to my survival.
“I can’t begin to thank everyone who helped give me a miracle, family, friends, members of EBFC, EBPD, Minquas Ambulance, Chester County ER and ICU, Bryn Mawr Rehab and Outpatient. I feel incredibly blessed and so grateful. God gave me a chance to continue helping others.
