Washington Twp. Fire Department Save Woman’s Life Twice Within 16 Months

ZANESVILLE, Ohio – Joel Dickinson, who has worked as an EMS for Genesis since 1996 says that the odds of surviving cardiac arrest while outside of a hospital is just ten percent. So when Maxine Litchfield did it twice within a 16-month span and with no complications afterwards, she knew she had someone on her side.

The 74-year-old Washington Township resident suffered her first cardiac arrest on Jan. 12 of 2015. The township’s fire department came on scene and was able to help save her life. They were dispatched again to her house for cardiac arrest on April 1 of this year. John Hittle, a volunteer firefighter with the Washington Township Fire Department describes what happened next.

“It was pretty much the same,” said Hittle. “I got there on scene. I was the first one on scene. One of her family members was preforming CPR on her. After I got there I checked for a pulse. There was a faint on and after a few seconds it went away. I started CPR and provided CPR on her until Community got there with a squad.”

Litchfield made a full recovery from both attacks and now lives with no complications. Wednesday they gathered at the fire department to have cake and ice cream and to celebrate life. Hittle said in his eight years at the station he’s never seen anything like it.

“I personally have never heard of it happening before. I’d say she’s pretty tough,” said Hittle. “I’ve never had to respond to help the same person twice before.”

Litchfield said she is grateful for everything the fire department has done for her.