The family of a long-time public information specialist with the DC Fire & EMS Department is crediting Gwen Smith's colleagues with saving her life by performing CPR on her seconds after she suffered an apparent stroke in her office Thursday afternoon.
Tonight Ms. Smith is at Howard University Hospital where she's expected to mount a recovery, however she won't be out of danger for a couple of days yet.
The D.C. Fire Department's spokesman Alan Etter, who just got his job of 6 years back this past Monday, was in the office when his colleague suddenly collapsed.
A former reporter, Etter says he first learned CPR some 20 years ago. He says his training kicked in and he did what he was trained to do within a matter of seconds. Several other Fire & EMS colleagues joined in the rescue effort.
According to Etter, such feats take place everyday in fire departments all over our nation.
Republished with permission of WUSA-TV.
