College Station and Brazos County first responders honored for life-saving efforts

BRYAN, Texas (KBTX) – Every second counts in an emergency, and on February 11, those critical moments made all the difference for Brazos County resident William “Bill” Wooten.

Facing a possible heart attack at his home in South Brazos County, Wooten’s life hung in the balance until the swift actions of local first responders intervened.

In the early hours of that Super Bowl Sunday morning, his wife dialed 9-1-1, seeking help for her husband. Brazos County dispatcher Katie Riely answered the call, initiating a chain of events that would ultimately save a life.

College Station Paramedic Jonathan Ortega, along with EMT Matthew Lopes, rushed to the scene from Station 3, joined by South Brazos County volunteers Travis Lull, Jason Loyd, Jim Barker, Cliff Lafreniere and Chris Vollenweider.

According to officials, upon arrival, responders found Wooten pulseless and not breathing. He was ultimately transported to Baylor Scott and White in College Station, where officials with the College Station Fire Department say he arrived awake, oriented and on his way to recovery. Remarkably, they say he was discharged home just two days later with no neurological deficits.

Reflecting on the challenging experience, Wooten expressed profound gratitude for the dedicated efforts of the first responders from College Station and Brazos County.

“Great firemen and great paramedics and great volunteer firemen kept me alive, and God did too,” said Wooten.

On Wednesday, these heroes were honored for their courageous and life-saving actions in a ceremony at the Visit College Station Welcome Center near city hall. Each first responder was issued a certificate and memento to mark the recognition.

Chief Richard Mann of the College Station Fire Department emphasized the importance of mutual aid and fast response times in achieving positive outcomes in emergencies. Chief Mann also highlighted the city’s purchase of an additional ambulance to help with response times.

“This is a success story, an example of why those resources are needed,” said Mann. “Had we not had that additional unit in service, this ambulance would not have been available, and the next closest ambulance would have been several minutes delayed in arriving.”

For Wooten, the ceremony was important because it offered an opportunity to personally thank the individuals whose expertise and dedication helped save his life that morning.

“I just wanted to give them a big thank you,” Wooten said. “I certainly appreciate the expertise, the workmanship that they do.”

The event also provided closure for the dispatchers who often work behind the scenes, without knowing the outcome of the calls they handle. Dispatcher Katie Riely Wilson took the call that morning at the Brazos County 911 Dispatch Center.

“This is the second time ever that I’ve had a confirmation that someone that I helped survived a near-death or dying experience, and it just really does mean the world to me to see the family here and to hear their testimonies,” said Wilson.

Lt. Jason Loyd and Travis Lull of the South Brazos County Fire Department echoed the sentiment, highlighting the importance of neighbors helping neighbors in times of crisis. Loyd also attends church with Wooten, while Lull lives one street over from the family.

“When I saw him like that, you know my heart dropped, and it’s just springing into action and making sure that we got him to the hospital where he can have that definitive care,” said Loyd.

“It’s always really good to be able to help one of your neighbors where you can see him walking down the street and driving around the neighborhood,” said Lull.

For news updates, follow Donnie Tuggle on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Instagram.

If there’s something you would like KBTX Investigative Reporter Donnie Tuggle to look into, email Donnie.Tuggle@KBTX.com or fill out this submission form.