PHOTO BY BRENNA WHITE / THE VILLAGE REPORTER
EFFORTS RECOGNIZED … EMS, EMA, Commissioners, and Kyle Brigle’s own family surprised him during a regularly scheduled EMA meeting, where he was recognized for his life-saving efforts.
By: Brenna White
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
brenna@thevillagereporter.com
What was supposed to be a relaxing family vacation turned into a life-saving moment for Williams County paramedic Kyle Brigle, whose quick actions during a medical emergency at a Los Angeles airport recently earned him recognition from the Williams County Board of Commissioners.
EMS Director Brigle, a paramedic with Williams County EMS, was preparing to return home with his family after vacationing in California when a medical emergency unfolded inside the airport terminal.
His wife, Tammy Brigle, shared that someone nearby called out for a doctor as several bystanders gathered to help.
“I watched out of the corner of my eye, and a woman had gone over to help, and then I saw her starting chest compressions. I said – okay! This is serious!”
At the time, Kyle was helping his young son in the restroom when his wife came to find him. “Without hesitation, he ran over,” continued Tammy. “He did what he was trained to do and helped that man.”
Kyle immediately began providing emergency care, including chest compressions, relying on the same training and instincts he uses every day on the job.
“Somehow, he started coughing and making noise. Right before we boarded the plane – he was talking!” she shared.
By the time the L.A. paramedics and firefighters arrived, the man had regained consciousness and was alert while being loaded onto a stretcher for transport.
“This is what he does in everyday life, and the kids and I were just in awe watching him the whole time… We’ve seen him stop and help someone who felt weak, or passed out, at a football game, or might have had a concussion.
“But we have never seen him literally save someone’s life,” Tammy said. “That was amazing!”
The incident was over almost as quickly as it began. With their flight preparing to depart, Kyle and his family had little time to process what had happened before boarding the plane for their trip back home to Williams County.
Even while on a vacation across the country, Kyle Brigle showed firsthand that the job of a paramedic is never really on hold.
For Kyle, it was simply another reminder that being a paramedic isn’t just a job – it’s a commitment that doesn’t end when the shift does.
