Plano’s Fire Chief Brian Crawford, not even two months on the job, assisted Plano Parks and Recreation
employees in saving a life while off duty and exercising at the Tom Muehlenbeck Center Wednesday evening.

Around 8:30 p.m., a 53-year-old man was exercising in the weight room on the second floor of the recreation
center located off West Parker Road. A woman working out nearby saw the man sitting on a piece of workout
equipment, noticed he was unconscious and not breathing and alerted a rec center staff member.

This staff member, along with a Plano physician also in the weight room, started to perform CPR and called 9-1-1. A
City of Plano employee who saw this taking place and knew Chief Crawford was exercising in the building
alerted him to the emergency.

“The high caliber and character of city workers and citizens are qualities that drew me to Plano," said Chief Crawford. "During this emergency those were on full display as I witnessed and was able to participate in a communities’ ability to save a life. From the selfless efforts of residents who recognized and began resuscitation efforts in concert with the highly trained city Parks and Recreation staff to the Plano firefighter and paramedics who later treated and transported the patient to the hospital, this “team” effort was extraordinary in allowing a members of our community a second chance at life and precious time with his wife and family."

One of the rec center’s three AEDs (automated external defibrillator) was brought to the patient and was used to
administer a shock.

By the time Plano Fire-Rescue crews arrived, less than five minutes after the 9-1-1 call, the man was conscious and beginning to talk to Chief Crawford and the other responders. He was transported to Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital of Plano and is in stable condition today while undergoing tests.

Story courtesy of the City of Plano