Not even three weeks after suffering a sudden cardiac event at his home the members of EBFC along with East Brandywine Police, Minquas EMS and Chester County Hospital were able to welcome QRS Captain Greg Kohlmaier home in a big way.

Bob Kelly from Fox 29's Good Morning Philadelphia along with Corey Davis from 6ABC were on location to help us welcome him home.

Below is an article written by our Member and Photographer Mark Walsh for The Daily Local about the event.

Almost three weeks after suffering a serious medical event at his home, Greg Kohlmaier, the EMS Captain of East Brandywine Fire Company was welcomed home on Thursday morning by Emergency Services Personnel from East Brandywine Fire Company, Minquas Ambulance, East Brandywine Police and Medical Personnel from Chester County Hospital.
On February 7th while at home Greg experienced sudden cardiac arrest. His wife Karen who was also home immediately dialed 911 and in less than five minutes volunteers from the East Brandywine Fire Company (EBFC), along with Officers from East Brandywine Police were on location and immediately began CPR. Shortly after their arrival, Paramedics from Minquas Fire Company in Downingtown arrived on scene and began ALS interventions.
Greg was rushed to Chester County Hospital. After CPR and being defibrillated five times, EMS personnel were able to get Greg’s pulse back. Doctors from Chester County Hospital continued giving him the highest level of care, and after only 24hrs, doctors and family believed he was beginning to respond. By the morning of the 10th, approximately 68hrs after suffering his cardiac event, Greg was conscious and alert and talking with doctors and family.
According to the American Heart Association, approximately 350,000 cardiac arrest cases occur each year outside of a hospital, and the survival rate is less than 12 percent. Quality CPR can double or triple the chances of survival. According to East Brandywine Fire Company President John Edwards the 911 system was activated in a timely manner by Greg’s wife Karen. “Early intervention by law enforcement and volunteers from EBFC was an essential aspect to this positive outcome,” said Edwards.
He also stated that Greg is a consummate community servant who has volunteered innumerable hours of his life to helping others, recently being awarded the Chester County EMT of the Year award in 2021. “He is beloved by Law Enforcement, Fire and EMS communities as a result of his kindness, compassion, humility, and love of his work,” said Edwards.
Greg, 73, is retired. In his newfound time, Greg decided to volunteer at the fire company and attend EMT school where he has found a second calling. He has been volunteering with EBFC since 2014 and was promoted to the roll of EMS Captain in 2017. In that time Greg has responded to over 50 percent of all calls each year.
According to Greg he has no memory of the events that happened that day, only what everyone has told him. He stated that he had four heart stents placed back in 2005, and two of them went bad and had to be replaced by cardiologists at Chester County. “The PD and EBFC arrived and started quality CPR, applied an AED within five minutes. This was key to my survival,” said Kohlmaier.
“I cannot begin to thank everyone who helped out to give me a miracle, family, friends, EBFC members, EBPD, Minquas Ambulance, Chester County ER and ICU, Bryn Mawr Rehab and outpatient. I feel unbelievably blessed and so thankful. God has given me a chance to continue to help others.”