Grimes County Man’s Life Saved by Award-Winning EMS Team

College Station, Texas

A team of emergency medical personnel were honored this past Friday after their heroic efforts saved the life of a local man in a rural part of Grimes County. St. Joseph Health’s 9-1-1 dispatcher Noah Miles, along with paramedics Aaron Clark and Robert Burroughs, were presented with life saving awards for their exemplary instance of service.

More Than Just a Thank You

The man they saved, Eddie Eppler, was the one to present the team with their awards. In a heartfelt speech during the ceremony, Eppler showed his deep gratitude. “There’s not many ways that you can say thank you. I was very thankful when I asked my wife to marry me, and she said yes,” Eppler shared. “But I think I was more thankful for what the EMS has done for me on this occasion.”

Life-Saving Initiative

Three months ago, Eppler was found unconscious and unresponsive by his son, Joey. He dialed 9-1-1 and was guided by dispatcher Noah Miles to perform CPR until EMS could arrive. Living in a rural part of Grimes County, the EMS team’s arrival was life critical. Due to St. Joseph Health’s expansion of their services, they were reachable even in the far-off locale. Joey Eppler admitted that without the enhancement to the emergency service program, achieved about a year-and-a-half ago, this situation may not have had the positive outcome it did.

The Importance of Rural Emergency Services

This particular call serves as a testament to the importance of emergency services being accessible even in rural settings. Kimberly Shaw, Market President and CEO of Brazos Valley St. Joseph Health, highlighted this fact. “Our rural communities are so far away from emergency services,” Shaw lamented. “The fact that we can have ambulances close to them and dispatch that gets on the phone with the patient and the family members and offers life-saving interventions before the ambulance arrives is just fantastic.”

Superior Training for Superior Service

The life-saving efforts of St. Joseph Health’s EMS team are possible thanks to their advanced training and commitment to their roles as first responders. They demonstrate a dedication to their profession that doesn’t stop at the requirements. Not only do they receive the mandatory field credentials, but they also engage in specialized life-saving training at St. Joseph Health Emergency Centers from experts in the field.