The Indiana Department of Homeland Security recently honored Fulton County first responders for their efforts in2023 that saved the life of a Rochester man that had been in cardiac arrest.

A small ceremony was held in Rochester on February 8, to recognize Fulton County dispatchers Mackenzie Gaines and Sheri Gaillard, Lutheran EMS medics Brian Corn and Michael Hicks and Rochester firefighters Brandon Cody, Tanner Medina, James Handy and Ren Zent. The team provided a quick response to Todd Martin's almost lethal heart arrhythmia in November. 

Photo provided by Jan Martin 

At the start of this year his wife, Jan, reached out to local media in hopes of publicly thanking the team who saved her husband. Although Jan had been a nurse, panic took over during the emergency. Martin's previous open heart surgery just months before the home emergency also complicated the wife's reluctancy. 

Martin stated dispatchers helped her get her head clear to perform CPR on her husband until medics arrived five minutes later. 

Photos from the ceremony Feb. 8 taken by Jay Brainard and Jeri Good.