By David A. Farrell, Item Staff Writer
The Picayune Item
POPLARVILLE —
Two city firefighters, Fire Chief Mike White and fireman and fire rescue expert Nikolas Hines, were honored on Wednesday in ceremonies at the fire station for helping save the life of six-year-old Jake Stokes on Oct. 16.
When White and Hines arrived at the Lower Elementary School, Stokes was not breathing and his heart had stopped beating as the result of a fall on the playground. He was suffering from what officials call a “sudden cardiac arrest.”
The two firefighters had gotten to the school in only two minutes after receiving a call from the county’s 911 service, saying a child at the school had fallen and was not breathing.
When they arrived, Hines administered aid with a defibrillator, shocking Stokes’ heart back into pumping, and his breathing also returned.
He was medically evacuated by the Life Flight helicopter to a children’s hospital in Mobile and later transferred to a New Orleans hospital for tests before being released to his parents.
Officials familiar with such events said rescue personnel had only about six minutes to revive Stokes.
Said Hines after receiving a plaque recognizing his actions, “You train for something like this all the time, and hope it doesn’t happen, but when it does, and you are successful like in this case, it makes you feel good inside to see that all the training you go through helps you save a life. It’s a wonderful feeling.”
Mark Dyess, director of business development for Life Flight, sponsored the event and awarded the two firefighters plaques of appreciation. “We only hear bad news; it’s time we celebrated some good news and honor these dedicated rescue personnel who do a thankless job day after day. This is a celebration of life,” he told a large crowd that turned out for the event.
Dyess said most in a similar situation don’t make it. He said 92 percent of those suffering a cardiac arrest outside a hospital don’t make it.
Jake Stoke’s mother and father, Nance and Billy Stokes, thanked the rescuers and everyone “for their prayers.” Nance is attorney for the school board.
Grandparents of young Stokes are Gylde Fitzpatrick and Richard Fitzpatrick. Gylde Fitzpatrick is a former Upper Elementary principal an superintendent of education for the Poplarville Special Municipal Separate School District. She is now retired. Richard Fitzpatrick is a Poplarville attorney. Both are widely known throughout Pearl River County.
Jake Stokes was taking in all that was happening around him, and he was seemingly not phased by all the attention he was getting, as he obligingly posed for pictures with officials and family.
White then surprised everyone when he presented young Stokes with an official certificate, making him an official member of the Poplarville Fire Dept.
“Officially, Jake is now a Poplarville fireman, no doubt the youngest in the department’s history,” said White.
Hines said he was proud to be a part of the group that saved Jake’s life. “It really overwhelms you when you think of what happened,” said Hines.
Said White, “I am humbled by the recognition and by what happened, that our training and quick response is credited with saving a life. I want to thank all those others involved in the rescue, too, who helped and were recognized here today, also.”
On Wednesday, Life Flight personnel flew to the ceremony in the helicopter used in the rescue, with all lights flashing, and landed in the fire station’s front yard on Mississippi Highway 53 South. The large crowd inspected the inside of the “chopper.”
Dyess said school health nurse, Michelle Recatto, administered CPR until fire rescue personnel arrived, and she also will be awarded a special plaque of appreciation. On Thursday morning Recatto said, “Someone brought me a plaque this morning. I appreciate that and it is very humbling to realize I had a part.” She was not able to attend Wednesday’s ceremonies.
Dyess also recognized Jim Brown of AAA Ambulance Service, and Mark Roberts and Johnan Hand, who manned the helicopter on Oct. 16 for Life Flight.
