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Bellefontaine firefighters came to the aide of one their own early Tuesday and revived him after a reported heart attack.
Dave Crissman, a 26-year veteran of the department, was at home when he was stricken around 2 a.m.
He was transported Mary Rutan Hospital before transfer to The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center. He is currently in serious condition.
Service-Safety Director James Holycross did not identify Crissman nor even say it was a firefighter when he reported at Tuesday’s council meeting that a member of the safety forces had a serious medical event and was receiving treatment.
However, soon after the meeting a photograph of local firefighters praying with Crissman in a hospital bed was posted on Facebook. Later, the post reported he sustained a heart attack.
Holycross said Crissman was not on his duty shift, but had participated in the aftermath of a house fire at 1229 County Road 130.
Bellefontaine Fire Chief Andy Fissel raises a ladder as firefighter Dave Chrisman holds it to reach a hot spot at 1229 County Road 130 after an early morning fire. (EXAMINER FILE PHOTO)
Holycross said state law requires benefits entities to consider a firefighting event as a possible contributing factor when a firefighter suffers medical conditions within 24 hours.
The city has reported the event to the proper entities.
“We want to make sure we do the right thing for Dave and his family,” Holycross said.