AdventHealth Heart of Florida is honored to recognize two crews from Polk County Fire Rescue and the Haines City Fire Department, for their swift actions and unwavering professionalism in helping save a man’s life after he went into cardiac arrest.
AdventHealth team members presented Haines City Fire Department Tower 1 and Polk County Fire Rescue 30 with the AdventHealth Heart of Florida Life Saving Award. Haines City Fire Battalion Chief Scott Platukas, Lieutenant Michael Ferguson, Engineer Eric Torrence, Firefighter Fredric Barnes as well as Polk County Fire Rescue Firefighter Paramedic Brandyn Harris and Firefighter EMT Edward Snell were all recognized during a special ceremony.
On March 18, 2025, both crews were dispatched to care for a man who had gone into cardiac arrest. The crew of Haines City Fire Tower 1 was close-by and found the patient, who had been with his daughter and granddaughter, was not breathing and did not have a pulse. The four men quickly jumped into action, started high-quality CPR and used a breathing tube to get a secured airway. The crew of Polk County Fire Rescue 30 arrived a short time later and took over care and rushed the patient to AdventHealth Heart of Florida. By the time the patient had arrived at the hospital, he had a pulse again. Team members at AdventHealth Heart of Florida’s Emergency Department then assumed care and stabilized the patient, who has since recovered and is alive and well today.
Both agencies credited strong teamwork for making sure this crisis didn’t end in tragedy.
“It’s a good example of hard work, training and working together as a team to make somebody’s very bad day a much better day with a good outcome where they can go home with their family member,” Haines City Fire Battalion Chief Scott Platukas said.
“The crews always perform really well, and the two organizations always perform great together, and we’ve always cherished that relationship that Haines City Fire Department and Polk County Fire Rescue have for the betterment of the community,” Polk County Fire Rescue Chief Shawn Smith said.
Team members and leaders at AdventHealth Heart of Florida are very appreciative of the exceptional work of first responders in the community and are delighted to have the opportunity to celebrate these firefighters for their exemplary work.
“We are honored to recognize these incredible firefighters for their outstanding efforts. Their quick-thinking and action helped save this patient’s life. We are extremely grateful to partner with these agencies and it’s our pleasure to present them with this well-deserved award,” AdventHealth Heart of Florida President and CEO Tim Clark said.
