Kalispell Fire Department saves two lives Thursday

The Daily Inter Lake

The Kalispell Fire Department on Thursday morning saved two men who were in full cardiac arrests.

The first call came from East Oregon Street, where an elderly man had suffered a heart attack. The Fire Department's paramedics were able to revive the man and took him to Kalispell Regional Medical Center.

Later on Thursday morning, a visitor staying at a downtown hotel was reported lifeless in a room. Paramedics arrived and were able to restore a heartbeat after about 45 seconds, according to paramedic Tim Soule. That man was also taken to the hospital.

The department had six calls between 8 and 11 a.m., including three cardiac arrests.

Soule said the quick reports of the men's distress, along with a fast response time by the Fire Department, probably saved them.

"Time saves lives," he said.