Acts of Kindness
Firefighter Helps Senior With Chores After He Collapses In Heat
On the hottest day of the year, a 90-year-old man collapsed while doing yard work. Firefighters rushed to make sure he was okay— but, one did something a little extra...
Britanie Leclair
07.12.18

This summer has been a hot one for the U.S. thus far. One day, at the end May, physician Brad Sellers saw the effects firsthand during his commute, before he even arrived at his Dallas office. “All of a sudden a policeman runs over to me and says, ‘Hey can you help a woman who has passed out?'” he told Dallas News.

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Dallas News
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Dallas News

Later, as Sellers continued his commute, he would also be called upon to help runners who had collapsed on the road from heat exhaustion. At this point, the temperature was in the 70s— but it would only get hotter from there.

June 22nd marked the hottest day of 2018 in North Texas, with temperatures reaching a whopping 100 degrees, CBSDFW reports.

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CBSDFW
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CBSDFW

When temperatures reach these heights, medical professionals warn residents about the dangers of heat exhaustion. “Heat exhaustion is a condition whose symptoms may include heavy sweating and a rapid pulse, a result of your body overheating,” Mayo Clinic explains. “Without prompt treatment, heat exhaustion can lead to heatstroke, a life-threatening condition.”

As you can probably imagine, when North Dallas broke the thermometers at 100°F, emergency respondents were flooded with calls from people who were unprepared for the drastic heat— one of them, a 90-year-old senior from Plano.

The 90-year-old had collapsed on his lawn while doing yard work in the heat.

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Matt McGee/Flickr
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Matt McGee/Flickr

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, people over the age of 65 are more prone to heat-related problems, in general. As we age, our bodies don’t adjust to sudden temperature changes as well as they used to. Additionally, seniors are more likely to have chronic medical conditions or take prescription medications that affect the body’s ability to control temperature and sweat.

It’s unclear whether this older man was on any medications, or perhaps he just didn’t have enough water to drink— but, whatever the case, he ultimately found himself in a situation where he needed help.

When Plano Fire Rescue was alerted about the incident, they immediately rushed to give the senior the medical attention he required— but it was one respondent, in particular, who really saved the day.

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Plano Fire-Rescue/Facebook
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Plano Fire-Rescue/Facebook

After the firefighters had made sure the senior was okay, respondent Rance Pringle decided to finish up the lawn work the senior had been doing. Taking to Twitter to share the story, the Plano Fire Rescue tweeted:

“One @PlanoFireRescue firefighter finished up a resident’s yard work after responding to help the 90-year-old who had collapsed while out in his backyard.”

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Plano Fire-Rescue/Twitter
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Plano Fire-Rescue/Twitter

“This is just one example of the fine men and women who serve our great city every day.”

In an interview with CBS, Pringle said: “If you see someone in need or if they need help, if they’re having a bad day— just try to be a bright spot on someone’s day. It’s pretty easy. I think just the effort alone… makes all the difference in the world.”

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Video Screenshot
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Video Screenshot

People love the firefighter’s simple act of kindness.

“#PlanoProud”

“What kind thing to do. This heat is dangerous.”

“God bless you. Thank you for your kindness.”

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