When an off-duty Plano firefighter and Garland police captain saw a referee collapse at a flag football game, they jumped into action – saving his life.
As Plano Firefighter Thomas Parker and Garland Police Capt. Amir Shaabani watched their boys play football nearly a month ago, they noticed a referee had collapsed. Jumping into action, they performed CPR and used an AED to bring him back before paramedics arrived.
Plano Fire-Rescue and the Garland Police Department applauded their officers’ actions on October 28.
“Thanks to their quick response and teamwork, the referee is now home and healthy – and they got to reunite,” Plano fire officials posted. “Thankful for their quick actions and a positive outcome!”
Shaabani was watching his two sons play flag football at First Baptist Church in Forney, he told The Dallas Express, when he saw a referee on the ground.
“It was extremely hot that day, I’m thinking it’s maybe heat exhaustion, just a little tired. He was an older man, too,” Shaabani told DX. “Then they start calling, ‘Is anybody a medic or a nurse?’ so I start jogging over there.”
Parker, whom Shaabani called a “really good friend,” was watching his son play a different game and came over to help.
“The guy’s unresponsive, no pulse – we’re dealing with a lot more than heat exhaustion. So we start doing CPR,” Shaabani said. “We asked somebody, ‘Is there an AED inside the church?’”
A church member ran inside, grabbed the AED, and brought it back to Shaabani and Parker.
They shocked him, then continued CPR. Then they shocked him again and returned to CPR.
“At one point, the guy started gasping for air, and we were like – wow,” Shaabani said. “He still really had some shallow breathing, still, his pulse was really weak. But we had gotten him back before the ambulance got there.”
While Shaabani and Parker attended to the referee, some of the older boys gathered the younger kids, around ages five and six, and led them away from the scene to play a game.
“They understand the situation – ‘It’s really scary for the young kids over there, let’s play a game,’” Shaabani said. “I thought it was really cool of those young boys.”
The referee is now home and healthy, according to Plano fire officials. He also reunited with the responders who saved his life.
Shaabani said he has been a police officer for nearly 13 years, so he was trained in CPR and emergency response. Before this, he received emergency medical training.
“Thomas has been a paramedic for probably as long as I’ve been a police officer, so he has extensive training in that area. That made me feel a whole lot more comfortable,” Shaabani said. “This guy’s doing this on the daily, so I was real thankful that he was there.”
Plano fire Spokeswoman Allison Smith told The Dallas Express the pastor of the church and other bystanders also helped. She said the referee had gone into cardiac arrest, though she could not speak to the underlying cause.
“Firefighter Parker knew what to do because of his extensive training and experience as a firefighter/paramedic,” Smith told DX. “We’re proud of their quick actions and willingness to provide care in a tough situation.”
Smith also emphasized the importance of knowing hands-only CPR and how to use an AED, which can significantly increase the chances of surviving cardiac arrest. Plano Fire offers free classes quarterly, and Smith invited the public to attend.
Garland Police Lt. Pedro Barineau told The Dallas Express the department was proud of Shaabani’s actions. He said the department provides emergency response training to all its officers.
“We’re just proud of what he was able to do, working in conjunction with the firefighter and ultimately helping save this person’s life,” Barineau told DX. “Whether you’re a police officer or a paramedic, the reality is you’re never off duty.”