SACO ”“ Tom Roughan thinks about the local first responders and emergency medical services personnel every day.

“These young EMS professionals saved my life,” said Roughan Wednesday at the Central Fire Station.

Roughan and his wife, Joyce, stopped by the station during National Emergency Medical Services Week to give thanks to those who helped him February when he had a heart attack.

On the night of February 13, Joyce Roughan heard a thump in the kitchen, and went in the room to find her husband on the floor, unresponsive. She called 911. Her 65-year-old husband had survived two prior heart attacks, and she knew the seriousness of the situation.

Joyce Roughan had never done CPR before, but dispatcher Dylan Martin guided her through the process until Police Corporal Ken Foss arrived and took over, breaking through the locked front door to assist in the emergency situation.

An ambulance came and emergency medical service workers were able to revive Tom Roughan and get a pulse. Roughan was then taken to the hospital.

Roughan spent six weeks in the hospital, has undergone rehabilitation and is still recovering.

“I’m feeling wonderful,” said Roughan on Wednesday. Roughan was in good spirits, chatting with fire personnel, some of whom he knew beforehand. He had in the past done some volunteer work at the station, writing the department’s newsletter.

Roughan said it’s a miracle he has survived and he wanted to thank local EMS workers for the “second life opportunity” they gave him.

“What they accomplish every day is so overwhelming,” said Roughan.

Foss said it’s a good feeling to be able to help people.

“We all work as a team,” said firefighter and paramedic Sarai Briggs. She said its nice to hear about the positive outcomes as a result of their work.

— Staff Writer Liz Gotthelf can be contacted at 282-1535, ext. 325 or egotthelf@journaltribunecom.