Brett Ketterer presents check to Lt. Yackel and Station 10 crew Home Depot presented a surprise grant to the MFD last week as a way to say "thank you" to Station 10 for their lifesaving acts on September 14, 2020.

Engine Co. 10 and Medic 10 (‘B’ shift) were called to help an individual who was unresponsive at work. At the direction of Dane County 911 Public Safety Communications dispatchers, the patient's co-workers began performing CCR. When Station 10 arrived on scene, the crew took over. Thanks to their rapid response and tireless efforts, the patient was saved.

The crew that day was Lieutenant Will Yackel, Apparatus Engineer Becky Blaschka, Firefighter Ty Kowalewski, Firefighter James Kidd, and Paramedics Joe Gangler and Michael Stockbridge.

Brett Ketterer, the patient’s brother, wanted to do something to express his gratitude for what Station 10 did to save his brother’s life. An Assistant Store Manager at a local Home Depot, Ketterer reached out to his employer to nominate the Madison Fire Department for a special grant known as “Operation Surprise.” It’s a program that gives back to veterans, first responders, healthcare workers, teachers, and more.

“I, personally, can think of no other worthy cause than that of the work and service your teams put forth each and every day,” Ketterer wrote in a letter to the MFD. “If not for [my brother’s co-workers], and your team, my brother – my best friend – would not be here today.”

The grant money, in the amount of $1000, will be used to purchase new structural firefighting gloves for our personnel.

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Cardiac arrest can happen anytime, anywhere. If you have had any level of training in chest compressions, CPR, or CCR, download the PulsePoint app to be alerted when someone nearby needs help. Bystander intervention increases the likelihood someone can make a complete recovery after experiencing sudden cardiac arrest. Get the app, save a life!

Pictured above (L-R): Brett Ketterer presents a check to Firefighter James Kidd, Apparatus Engineer Becky Blaschka, Firefighter Caluster Buie, Fire Chief Steven Davis, and Lieutenant Will Yackel.

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