BRYAN, Texas (KBTX) – Time is of the essence during emergencies, and on February 11, those crucial moments were pivotal for Brazos County resident William “Bill” Wooten.
In a dire situation that could have led to a heart attack at his residence in South Brazos County, Wooten’s life teetered on the edge until local first responders sprang into action.
During the early hours of that Super Bowl Sunday, Wooten’s wife contacted 9-1-1 for assistance. Brazos County dispatcher Katie Riely promptly answered the call, setting off a series of events that ultimately resulted in saving a life.
Responding swiftly from Station 3, College Station Paramedic Jonathan Ortega and EMT Matthew Lopes were joined by South Brazos County volunteers Travis Lull, Jason Loyd, Jim Barker, Cliff Lafreniere, and Chris Vollenweider.
Upon reaching the scene, responders discovered Wooten without a pulse and not breathing. He was swiftly taken to Baylor Scott and White in College Station, where officials from the College Station Fire Department reported that he arrived conscious, oriented, and on the path to recovery. Remarkably, he was discharged home just two days later with no neurological impairments.
Looking back on the harrowing ordeal, Wooten expressed immense gratitude for the unwavering efforts of the first responders from College Station and Brazos County.
Wooten stated, “Great firemen and great paramedics and great volunteer firemen kept me alive, and God did too.”
In a ceremony at the Visit College Station Welcome Center near city hall, these heroes were recognized for their valor and life-saving deeds. Each first responder received a certificate and token of appreciation in acknowledgment of their service.
Chief Richard Mann of the College Station Fire Department underscored the significance of prompt mutual aid and rapid response times in ensuring positive outcomes during emergencies. He also highlighted the city’s procurement of an additional ambulance to bolster response times.
Chief Mann emphasized, “This is a success story, an example of why those resources are needed. Had we not had that additional unit in service, this ambulance would not have been available, and the next closest ambulance would have been several minutes delayed in arriving.”
For Wooten, the ceremony held great importance as it allowed him to personally express gratitude to the individuals whose expertise and dedication played a pivotal role in saving his life that fateful morning.
Expressing his sentiments, Wooten said, “I just wanted to give them a big thank you. I certainly appreciate the expertise, the workmanship that they do.”
The event also brought closure for the dispatchers who often work tirelessly behind the scenes, unaware of the outcomes of the calls they handle. Dispatcher Katie Riely Wilson, who took the call that morning at the Brazos County 911 Dispatch Center, shared her thoughts.
Wilson expressed, “This is the second time ever that I’ve had a confirmation that someone that I helped survived a near-death or dying experience, and it just really does mean the world to me to see the family here and to hear their testimonies.”
Lt. Jason Loyd and Travis Lull of the South Brazos County Fire Department echoed similar sentiments, underlining the significance of neighbors assisting one another in times of crisis. Loyd, who attends the same church as Wooten, and Lull, who resides just a street away from the family, emphasized the importance of community support during emergencies.
Reflecting on the experience, Loyd shared, “When I saw him like that, you know my heart dropped, and it’s just springing into action and making sure that we got him to the hospital where he can have that definitive care.”
Lull added, “It’s always really good to be able to help one of your neighbors where you can see him walking down the street and driving around the neighborhood.”
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