After 36 years with the New Orleans Fire Department, former District Chief Donald Schultz, a resident of Slidell, never thought he would find himself on the receiving end of the services he himself once provided.

That’s exactly what happened late one evening in August, when Schultz, who retired in May, came home and struggled to open the garage door at his home in Cypress Lakes.

“I couldn’t breathe, I was sweating profusely, and I just collapsed on the floor,” said Schultz. “When I was finally able to get on my feet I managed to call 911.”

Retired New Orleans firefighter Donald Schultz, left, presents a plaque of appreciation to three members of FD1 who helped save his life recently. Also pictured, from left, are Capt. Michael Ford, Firefighter Jason Theriot (standing in for Firefighter Jeremy Stewart) and Operator Nathan Thigpen. (Staff Photo by Anne Lautzenheiser)

Capt. Michael Ford, Firefighter Jeremy Stewart and Operator Nathan Thigpen of St. Tammany Fire District 1 Engine 16 responded within minutes. Recognizing the life-threatening situation, they administered oxygen immediately, stabilizing Schultz so he could be transported to Slidell Memorial Hospital.

Schultz had suffered two pulmonary embolisms, and said doctors told him he would not have survived had firefighters not responded so quickly.

He asked to meet the men who had saved his life, to thank them for getting him on the road to recovery. He presented the men with a plaque on Friday, the anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks, in order to recognize all first responders who risk their lives every day to help others.

“The vast majority of calls we get are medically related,” said Schultz. “Firefighters do more than put out fires, and I wanted to do this, to say ‘thank you’ on a day that means a lot to firemen all over the country.”

Thigpen said people helped by the department have often expressed their thanks by delivering food or baked goods to the station house. However, this is the first time in his eight years of service a patient has responded in such a manner.

“It’s a real honor,” said Thigpen. “It shows people know we’re out there doing our job.”

Thigpen said FD1 responds to an average of five to six calls per day, ranging from reports of smoke to automobile accidents, in addition to fire. He agreed with Schultz’s assessment, guessing that about 70 percent of the calls were medical in nature. Thigpen added that once a patient is stabilized and transported to the hospital, the firefighters treating that person don’t always know the outcome.

“This one turned out great,” he said.

Schultz said the camaraderie in the fire service is like no other, and that members often become like family, watching each other’s children grow up, and attending weddings or funerals over the years. After his many years of service, in which he held almost every rank available, he was glad FD1 was on the job.

“It feels good to know they were here for me,” said Schultz. “They didn’t let me down.”