Ames Today

Citizens of the Nevada, Iowa community were able to hear an incredible story regarding a medical situation during the March 27 City Council meeting.

On Feb. 22, Nevada resident Jerry Gibson went into cardiac arrest while the area experienced a very heavy ice storm. Nevada’s Fire Chief Ray Reynolds told the harrowing story, sharing how his department was fully staffed at that time in anticipation for the weather, a precaution they take when storms or tornadoes are expected. Gibson said they do so in order to respond quickly to any emergency calls and arrived to help Gibson in under four minutes.

The crew of responders who helped attend to Gibson included the Nevada Fire Department and EMS crew, the Nevada Police Department, Story County Sheriff’s Office 911 center and Mary Greeley’s Ambulance crew. In total, there were 10 first responders at the scene where Gibson was experiencing two blocked coronary arteries.

Gibson was aware of his heart condition, but never expected an emergency medical situation to unfold. He was first transferred to Des Moines and then later sent to a Mayo Clinic in Minnesota. Several first respondents said he flatlined at certain points during his ordeal, but he has recovered to the point where he was with his wife and daughter to address the council and thank the responders who saved his life.

Gibson said that he didn’t remember much of the incident, but he did share parts of his story, recalling other parts that were told to him by his family after the fact.

“What I've been told is, I believe we went to Mary Greeley, and I really don't know what happened there, except that all these wonderful individuals kept me alive and were right here in a small town,” said Gibson. “My dad was a cop, so this was something that I grew up with and (he) responded to calls like this. But I mean, this was very intense. I mean, these people have to have had a lot of training, a lot of experience, in order to keep me alive for what was going on.”

Gibson was defibrillated four times and had three rounds of cardiac drugs administered.

At the meeting, he thanked the first responders and took a picture with them. Reynolds also gave Gibson a new Brock Purdy ISU shirt because he felt so bad for cutting Gibson’s off of him during the response, especially since he’s a fellow sports fan.

ISU worked with Reynolds to not just replace the original shirt but sent two extra shirts and a brand new sweatshirt for Gibson.