By News Staff
HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. — A firefighter-paramedic who collapsed while on duty due to a sudden illness is recovering in the hospital.
Local 10 reported that Hallandale Beach Fire Rescue Department firefighter Erik Conde was working at the station on Dec. 27 when he collapsed. His heart stopped beating and he was not breathing, according to Capt. Brian Polomy.
Conde was transported to the hospital, where doctors found that he had a bacterial infection in his lungs. His wife, Rachel, said he was put on a ventilator, but is now breathing on his own.
“Erik has been taken off the ECMO machine and the ventilator. He is currently still on oxygen but breathing on his own and in amazing spirits,” Rachel said. “Doctors and nurses say he is truly a miracle patient and beat the odds. We are so blessed but still have a long journey ahead.”
A GoFundMe page has been set up to help Conde’s family with hospital bills. Click here to donate.