"They Saved My Life": Local Man Thanks Broadview Volunteer Fire Department and Franklin County First Responders for Second Chance
- Terri Carter
- Jun 6
- 5 min read
It was a moment of pure gratitude and emotion at Broadview Fire Department earlier this week as Franklin County resident Luke Thompson reunited with the heroes who helped save his life. In a heartfelt gathering, Thompson had the chance to personally thank the first responders whose swift action gave him a second chance. Tears were shed, stories were shared, and appreciation filled the room as firefighters, EMTs, and emergency personnel came together to reflect on the life-saving teamwork that brought them all to this moment. And, of course, the celebration wouldn't be complete without a well-deserved meal—pizza was served, adding warmth to an already unforgettable reunion.
May 18th began like any other late spring evening in Franklin County. Dispatchers Ben College and Whitney Henley settled into their routine shift, while Sheriff’s Officer Dwight Stephens patrolled the community, ensuring safety and order. Emergency medical technicians Madison Duncan and Makayla Milhahn reported for duty, bracing for the unpredictability their night might bring. Meanwhile, Life Force 5 crew members Eric Breedlove, Mike Walker, and Glenn Suskind stood ready, prepared to take flight whenever duty called. Broadview volunteer firefighters AEMT Steve Macon, EMR Cody Hopkins, EMT Chris Elsen, Assistant Fire Chief Mike Moore, and Lt. Jeremy Floyd were spending their evening with family, unaware of what was soon to unfold.
Just miles from the Broadview Firehouse, 65-year-old Luke Thompson was about to experience one of the most terrifying moments of his life—an ordeal his daughter, Carlene Williams, would witness firsthand. None of them could have predicted that by night’s end, their paths would converge in a remarkable display of teamwork, resilience, and skill—an effort that would ultimately save a life.
Thompson and Williams had started their evening as a time to be spent with family. A grandfather spending time with his beloved grandsons and daughter. But tragedy struck when he bent down to pick up a ball and found himself uncontrollably dizzy. Grabbing on to a camper that was placed in the backyard of his home in an effort to regain his balance, Thompson immediately sensed that he was in trouble and his body gave way to the trauma it was under, leaving him near lifeless.
His daughter immediately noticed that he was under extreme distress and rushed to his aide. Williams and her mother were able to move Thompson into the house and once he was there, things got progressively worse. As soon as Deputy Stephens walked in, Thompson had gone completely unresponsive.
Flashing back to the scene, Williams had an emotional recollection.
“I’ve never seen my dad go unresponsive on me. My husband was there trying to keep everything calm and trying to help. But me, personally, I was questioning God. I know I shouldn’t have. But I was scared. I didn’t want to lose my dad. He has his grandbabies. He was just trying to play ball with them.”
Thompson remembered almost nothing from the event but had been informed by medical professionals how serious his condition was.
“I didn’t know I was going to the hospital until they brought me out of the helicopter.”, stated Thompson. “And in the hospital, one doctor told me they brought me back to life.”
Williams said that as soon as the first responders showed up, they acted quickly. The first on the scene was Deputy Dwight Stephens. Deputy Stephens stated that when he first arrived at the house, the patient was not responsive. He was there long enough to stabilize the patient, and Broadview Volunteer Fire Department was not far behind him.
Emergency medical technicians Makayla Milhahn and Madison Duncan arrived to find that the fire department volunteers were already inside, assessing the situation. After further testing, the EMTs determined that the patient’s symptoms indicated a possible stroke. Thanks to the swift actions of the fire department volunteers, the medical team had immediate access to crucial information—sugar levels, blood pressure, and vital signs—allowing them to move quickly and efficiently in providing urgent care.
“We go in and kind of see what’s going on.”, stated Broadview Fire Chief Steve Macon. “We get as much information as we can-blood pressure, pulse, blood pulse oxygen, blood sugar, name, birthdate, allergies, patient medications, all of that. When the ambulance gets there, we pass it on to them. We told them he had all the signs and symptoms of a stroke. We’re doing our part to help them. We want to be another set of hands.”
“Them getting there before us benefits us with our conditions lists.”, added Milhahn. “Them checking vitals and sugar and oxygen helps rule out other possibilities.”
Service Manager for Priority Ambulance Service, David DuBose, also had some things to add when it comes to the benefits of Broadview’s medical call assistance.
“When we come together, miracles happen.”, stated DuBose. “And it takes more than one set to do it. We alone can’t do it. There’s four trucks and we have close to 50,000 people in the community. We can’t do it by ourselves. We need the community’s help.”
The dedication of the Broadview Volunteer Fire Department is remarkable, having responded to 59 medical calls this year alone. Across Franklin County, the numbers are even more striking, with nearly 3,000 medical calls so far.
“Overall, for the county we are at around 3,000 medical calls.”, stated DuBose. “So, for them to take over 50 of those calls and give us a head start is huge. We need more communities like this. We’re getting paid to do our job, so there’s a difference. The credit goes to these guys. They come out here and give up their family and their time voluntarily, and miracles happen because of it. We’re very grateful for Broadview. These guys work. They care.”
Transporting Luke Thompson from his home to the helicopter was a vital step in the intricate life-saving process. Assistant Fire Chief Moore and Lt. Floyd meticulously prepared the landing zone, staying in constant communication with their crew to relay critical information about power lines and other hazards. Meanwhile, Deputy Stephens played a key role in ensuring a secure landing by blocking traffic and closing the road, allowing the Life Force 5 crew to operate safely and efficiently. Every action was executed with precision, reinforcing the teamwork and dedication that made this rescue possible.
Williams expressed deep gratitude for the first responders who showed up on scene and played a role in saving her father’s life.
“Thank you to all of the first responders who helped me keep my dad. And helped the grandbabies keep their grandpa.”, stated Williams.
What began as a frightening ordeal turned into a triumph of skill, teamwork, and unwavering dedication. A daughter kept her father, a wife held onto her husband, and little boys still have their beloved grandpa. Most importantly, a deeply grateful man was given another chance to embrace life.
From the initial emergency call to the final transport to Erlanger, every responder played a vital role, moving in seamless coordination like a finely tuned machine. Their constant communication and expert precision ensured that every second counted, proving that in moments of crisis, true heroes rise to the occasion—not just to save lives, but to preserve families and futures.
