Josef Noska, who has been with the Kirchschlag fire department for 52 years, suffered a cardiac arrest during training. His comrades responded immediately and saved the 69-year-old’s life.
At first, everything went as usual when the senior group of the Kirchschlag fire brigade prepared for a competition in the summer: the comrades laid a supply line with hoses and practiced the fastest possible fire attack. But while extinguishing the fire, firefighter Josef Noska (69) fell.
‘Thought Sepp had tripped’
“At first I thought Sepp had tripped. We ran over and noticed that he wasn’t breathing and had no pulse,” says his friend Gebhard Gangl, describing the frightening moments. “I started chest compressions and my colleagues started the rescue chain.” Shortly afterwards, the local doctor and another doctor, who happened to be on the adjacent sports field, arrived. The doctors assisted with a defibrillator – which worked and the 69-year-old’s heart started beating again. A rescue helicopter took him to hospital.
Saving lives was the greatest victory
15 days later, Noska – who has been a volunteer firefighter for 52 years – was allowed to leave the hospital. He probably owes his life to the exemplary response of his comrades. On this occasion, the Red Cross once again points out what to do in an emergency: call the emergency services and provide first aid yourself. “Doing nothing is the only thing you can do wrong,” says the Red Cross.
Incidentally, the fire department cancelled participation in the competition for which the senior group had trained. “We achieved a much greater victory because we saved Sepp’s life,” says Gangl.
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
