North Texas firefighters are working to bring one of their own home. Capt. Randy Baker with the Garland Fire Department suffered a heart attack while vacationing in the Caribbean. He’s in critical condition at a Cozumel hospital.
Firefighters said the active 55-year-old suffered a heart attack while playing basketball on the cruise ship Jan. 6. Cruise ship doctors had to resuscitate Baker three times before finally getting him to a hospital in Cozumel ten hours later.
“He’s used to being the one that’s giving the help, not receiving it,” said Capt. John Tomlison, who works with Baker at Garland’s Station 5.
Baker’s first responder family went to work. The Garland Fire Fighter Association flew his two children to his bedside and started a GoFundMe account to raise money for a medi-flight to Baylor Hospital and cover hospital bills expected to be paid up-front in Mexico.
Their goal is to raise $50,000. So far, they’ve raised more than $25,000.
“We don’t have to ask twice,” said Merrill Balanciere with Garland Fire Department. “It’s just an outpouring of help.”
“Every fireman...you ask them why they got into this job and that’s at the core of it – it’s to help others,” said Tomlison.
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Heidi Cardenas with Garland Emergency Medical Services has helped organize the efforts to bring Baker home. She says different agencies have offered their air ambulance and first responders from across North Texas are donating their money and services.
“Randy is that guy,” said Cardenas. “The one you want to help and drop everything to take care of. We’re getting close and we’re going to get him here soon.”
