Tim Scribner is alive today thanks to the efforts of eight Oxford firefighters and a fast-acting friend, all of whom were recently honored for their actions with certificates from the Oakland County Medical Control Authority.
‘It’s nice to know there’s quality, caring people in the community,? said the 48-year-old Addison Township resident. ‘I feel blessed they were there to save my life.?
On April 24, Scribner suffered a heart attack while working at his in-laws? house on Indian Knolls St. in Oxford Township.
His friends, Jason Griffen and Dan Cooper, were cutting down some pine trees and Scribner was helping clean up the debris.
All of the sudden, Scribner fell to the ground and was unconscious. ‘I was putting a log into the truck, the next thing you know, they said I collapsed,? he said.
Scribner, a 1984 Lake Orion High School graduate, said he experienced no obvious warning signs prior to his heart attack.
‘I had some funny feelings, but (I) didn’t think it was anything major,? he said.
He admitted he had ‘neglected? to see a doctor ‘for years? prior to his heart attack.
Griffen immediately took action and began administering cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) to Scribner.
Griffen works as a firefighter/paramedic for the Waterford Fire Department. Prior to that, he was a paid-on-call firefighter with Oxford from 1997 to 2003.
After Oxford firefighters arrived, they shocked Scribner’s heart twice at the scene, then once en route to McLaren Oakland hospital in Pontiac, according to Fire Chief Pete Scholz.
Each time his heart rhythm returned to normal and his pulse was restored. Scholz said CPR was performed in the ambulance the whole way to the hospital to support Scribner’s heart.
Scribner didn’t require surgery, but he did have three stents put in his heart.
Because of the quick and skillful actions of Griffen and the Oxford firefighters, Scribner made a full recovery.
‘He’s walking, talking and doing great,? Scholz said. ‘The department and myself are (giving) most of the praise (to Griffen) because had he not stepped up as a bystander, the outcome would not have been what it is.?
‘I’m feeling good,? Scribner said. ‘I’ve still got some issues to take care of, but I feel like I’m recovering.?
The Oxford firefighters who helped save Scribner’s life included Sgt. Steve Giroux, Sgt. B.J. Stapp, Lt. Brad Horton, Tim Haynes, Sarah Racer, Mitchell Bischer, Ryan Mcleod and Justin Templeton.
Scribner can’t thank everybody enough for saving his life.
‘I’m very fortunate and blessed that we’ve got good people in the community that dedicate themselves to caring for (others),? he said. ‘You take that stuff for granted until you need it, just like everything else in life.?
Because of all the aforementioned people, Scribner will continue to be a husband to his wife Lisa; a father to his sons Chris, 29, Chad, 17, and Mario, 15; and a grandfather to his 4-year-old grandson Aidan.