LAFD Members Honored for Their Work Saving a Hiker

On a warm and sunny Saturday morning, a man hiking with his friends in Temescal Canyon believed he was just feeling the effects of the heat, when in fact he was in the midst of a heart attack and his life was in the balance. Today, the City of Los Angeles Fire Commission recognized the members who intervened and help to ensure his safety.

In June 2023, a group of three friends went hiking the Temescal Canyon Trail above the Pacific Palisades coastline. It was a warm, humid day and as the group returned to the trailhead, one hiker felt weak and dizzy, unable to continue walking. His friends were concerned and called 9-1-1, triggering the dispatch of a hiker rescue response.

Task Force 69 and their paramedic rescue ambulance , RA69, made their way to the canyon while LAFD Air Operations dispatched two helicopters (hoist aircraft and command aircraft). Engine 69 and RA69 members arrived and began an arduous hike up the canyon with the necessary equipment and supplies. The topography made radio communications difficult and the Metropolitan Fire Communications (MFC) 9-1-1 call-taker remained on the phone with the hikers and relayed information to the Incident Commander to help the crews locate the group. Engine 69 Captain was also experienced in the area and used his expertise to find a better line-of-sight to the command airship to improve their radio communications.

Through their teamwork, the firefighters were able to locate their patient, a 55-year-old male complaining of dehydration, dizziness, nausea and difficulty walking. Initially reluctant to allow a full medical workup, the firefighters took note of his low blood pressure (80/46), high heart rate (116) and his hot, pale and diaphoretic skin conditions. These are all indicators of a potentially significant heat related medical emergency thus the Firefighter/Paramedics started an IV and administered fluids, along with various cooling measures. Though patient's condition improved and he wanted to just walk out, the crew recommended a hoist operation.

The Incident Commander and helicopter pilots assessed the situation and concurred. After a successful hoist, the patient was onboard Fire-1 and a 12-lead electrocardiogram (ECG), which measures the electrical activity of the heart, revealed the hiker was experiencing a ST elevation myocardial infarction - he was having a 'silent heart attack'. He was then swiftly transported via air ambulance to an appropriate medical facility.

A silent heart attack, known as a silent myocardial infarction (SMI), account for 45% of heart attacks.* They are described as "silent" because the symptoms lack the intensity of a classic heart attack, such as extreme chest pain and pressure; stabbing pain in the arm, neck, or jaw; sudden shortness of breath. Instead, one may just feel fatigued or discomfort and attribute it to heat or lack of sleep.

While the hiker did not understand the danger he was in and was determined to continue on his own, the LAFD crew astutely identified the severity of his condition and ensured his safety by hoisting him out and quickly getting him to advanced medical care. The coordinated efforts of the members from Fire Station 69, the diligent 911 call-taker and the talented Air Operations not only resulted in the successful hoist rescue of a hiker in distress but also saved the life of a man who was having a 'silent heart attack'.

The City of Los Angeles Fire Commission recognized the below members for their dedicated efforts and skillful handling of a patient whose life was in the balance:

Pilot IV, Rickey Wheeler (retired)

Pilot I, Scott Keelin

Captain I/Paramedic, Michael McIndoe

Firefighter/Paramedic, Jesse Beck

Firefighter Patrick Mandich

Firefighter/Dispatcher, Anthony Zermeno

*Harvard Medical School, "The Danger of 'Silent' Heart Attacks", Harvard Health Publishing, Nov 3 2020

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