Family Thanks First Responders For Saving Father's Life

CONROE, TX -- Less than two months ago, Gaylon Smith suffered cardiac arrest in his bedroom, and his wife didn’t know if he would make it. He was completely unresponsive when Scharlotte Smith called 911. Fortunately, his son, who learned CPR as a part of his job as a football coach, started chest compressions immediately.

Amanda Parent, in MCHD’s 911 Dispatch Center, answered the call and talked the family through the process, step-by-step. Minutes later, MCHD Paramedics and Firefighters arrived to take over Mr. Smith’s care. He was unconscious when paramedics arrived, but they took over CPR and administered medications to restart his heart. A short time later, the paramedics confirmed that his pulses had returned, and his heart was beating again on its own.

During a reunion held last week, Mrs. Smith asked Nick Smith, who was the District Chief on the call, if he thought her husband would make it.

“Everything has to line up perfectly for someone to have the outcome your husband had,” said Nick Smith, MCHD Division Chief – Clinical. “It’s so important to have quick bystander CPR, to have firefighters and paramedics arrive quickly to take over CPR and administer the right medications. Everything was executed perfectly, and we are all thankful for that.”

After a very short hospital stay, Mr. Smith was released home and was back to work three weeks later! He is doing amazingly well and is happy to be back at home with his family.

Mrs. Smith said, “We are just so grateful to all of you who saved him that day. He really is a miracle.”

If you are interested in taking a CPR class with MCHD, free-of-charge, please go to https://www.mchd-tx.org/community-education/cpr/.

MCHD would like to thank all of the first responders involved in Mr. Smith’s care:

MCHD Paramedics

Caleb Trahan, In-Charge

Michael Mares-Camarena, Attendant

Cain Pool, In-Charge

David McMillon, Attendant

Nick Smith, District Chief (now Division Chief – Clinical)


MCHD 911 Dispatch Center

Amanda Parent, ALARM Medic II


Magnolia Firefighters

Cody Alexander, Firefighter

Michael Heim, Firefighter

David Farley, Battalion Chief


Montgomery County Hospital District’s mission is to care for the indigent and provide EMS services while protecting the interest of taxpayers and ensuring long-term stability through fund development. For more information about the Montgomery County Hospital District please go to www.mchd-tx.org.