Two brave firefighters have been honoured for being life-savers – both on and off duty.

Crew Commander Andy Reid and firefighter John Sharpe were praised for their speedy response when Watch Commander Billy Scott collapsed with a suspected heart attack last year.

Today WC Scott told how his life was saved at Mauchline Community Fire Station, Ayrshire: “The evening had begun normally and, following a routine drill, I decided to remain behind at the office to complete some paperwork.

“CC Reid and FF Sharpe also stayed behind in order to catch up on some
computer work.

“Then suddenly I collapsed. The next thing I remember was waking up in hospital with tubes coming out of me.”

After WC Scott collapsed, the pair realised his vital signs were fading and knew they had to act fast.

They grabbed the defibrillator from their fire appliance and used it to save their boss’s life.

Since 2007, all front line appliances in Strathclyde Fire & Rescue have carried automated external defibrillators and it was the use of this piece of equipment, and the ability of FF Sharpe and CC Reid to remain calm, which saved WC Scott’s life.

CC Reid said: “John and I had to stay back in the station to write up incident reports, otherwise we would not have been around to help Billy.”
FF Sharpe added: “It is pure luck that we were in the station. Andy and I were working at the computer when we heard a noise behind us and saw that Billy had collapsed. “We quickly got the defibrillator out of the appliance and used it to resuscitate him.”

WC Scott was taken to Ayr Hospital where a cardiologist said his heart had stopped beating properly, and it was the use of the defibrillator which was able to shock his heart back into a proper rhythm.

Today WC Scott said he is eternally grateful for the swift actions of his colleagues. The life-saving duo were praised at a long-service medal ceremony and lunch at Strathclyde Fire and Rescue HQ in Hamilton, last week.

WC Scott added: “I owe my life to John and Andy – firefighters are supposed to be life-savers but I bet they didn’t think they would save a colleague’s life in their own fire station.”
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