A Visalia Fire Department firefighter-paramedic who was off duty and passing through Santa Cruz helped save a runner’s life after the man collapsed during a routine run along West Cliff, according to the Santa Cruz Fire Department.

Dave, a Santa Cruz resident and avid runner, collapsed on May 16 during a routine run along the coastal path.

An off-duty, out-of-town firefighter-paramedic with the Visalia Fire Department, Adam Melikian, happened to be driving by at the time of the collapse. He immediately stopped and began chest compressions while a bystander called 911, the department said.

Two Santa Cruz city lifeguards were the first emergency responders on scene and took over CPR efforts. Paramedics arrived shortly after with an automated external defibrillator and transported Dave to a local hospital.

About a month later, Dave returned to Santa Cruz Fire Station 1 to thank the first responders who responded to the call.

“When the bay door opened at Station 1 and I saw the guys waiting for me, it was such an emotional rush,” Dave said. “Living in Santa Cruz, we frequently hear the sirens and see the fire and marine crew vehicles, but there’s hardly a reason to associate those vehicles with the people inside them.”

Dave added that the experience showed the role of first responders in the community and the actions of strangers who stepped in during a crisis.

During the visit, Dave and his family also FaceTimed with Melikian to personally thank him for starting CPR that helped save his life.

The Santa Cruz Fire Department said the coordinated response between bystanders, lifeguards, and fire and medical personnel was key to the positive outcome.

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