Tonight, April 12, 2018, Fire Chief Phil Jurmu from The City of Longview will make a special recognition titled “The Chain of Survival”, and will recognize key individuals in the successful CPR resuscitation of Longview resident Keith Karns.

On Sunday December 17th 58 year-old Keith Karns was at home with his wife when at a little after 7:00 PM he suddenly and unexpectedly collapsed from a Cardiac Arrest. Keith’s wife Carol realized something was wrong and immediately called 911.  During this time the 911 Dispatcher coached Carol into moving her husband to the floor and starting CPR while Longview Fire and AMR were being dispatch. Carol performed bystander CPR for 5 minutes before Longview Fire arrived.

Longview Fire responded from its 38th Ave Fire Station and immediately reassessed the situation and instantly started ‘High Performance CPR’, a ‘Pit Crew’ type of CPR which focuses on carefully orchestrated and timed actives designed to give the victim the highest chances of ‘Return of Spontaneous Circulation’ (ROSC) and survival.

For Longview Fire, this CPR model requires a minimum of 9 personnel including: Airway Manager (Head), Compressor (Chest), Heart Monitor Manager, IV/IO Medication Manager, Pulse Checker, and a Team Leader… Plus a Family Liaison, and two persons “On DecK” to replace the Compressor at regular intervals. *Longview Fire dispatches two Fire Engines and one Battalion Chief to each Cardiac Arrest, plus one transport ambulance to provide the essential staffing required for this level of CPR.

Once Mr. Karns had a return of spontaneous circulation, he was loaded into an awaiting AMR ambulance and transported Code 3 (lights and series) to Peace Health St Johns in Longview. Upon arrival to the Emergency Room St Johns took over patient care, and weeks later Keith was able to literally walk out of the hospital, making a full recovery.

Tonight (4/12/18) at 7:00 PM at the Longview City Hall, Council Chambers, 1525 Broadway, Mr. Karns and his wife Carol will on hand, as will the Cowlitz County 911 dispatcher that took the call, Longview Fire, AMR, Cowlitz County EMS Trainer, and a representative from St John’s Hospital… all part of the Life Saving ‘Chain of Survival' that lead to saving Mr. Karns life.

 Mr. Karns and his wife Carol will be available for interviews after the recognition.