Tulsa Woman Reunited With Off-Duty Firefighter Who Saved Her Life

An off-duty firefighter saved his next-door neighbor’s life and Tuesday, they were reunited for the first time since she was released from the hospital.

Paula Dickson doesn't remember anything about the day she almost died but said it's phenomenal the off-duty firefighter who saved her just happened to live right next door. 

Dickson and her best friend Mary Surber met more than 50 years ago, and they spend most days hanging out. A few weeks ago, they were enjoying their morning together, when Dickson suddenly collapsed and stopped breathing.

"It was the perfect storm," said Dickson.

Dickson, who is 77, said a combination of medicine she took must have caused her heart to stop, and Mary was frantic.

"She isn't responsive no matter what, I can't find a phone to call 911," Surber said.

Surber found Ricco Edmundson next-door. He's an off-duty Tulsa firefighter who had gotten home from the dentist's office.

"When he said he was a firefighter, I went, 'Oh God, this is wonderful,'" Surber said.

Edmundson immediately started CPR, and just as paramedics got there, she started breathing again.

"It kicks in, that instinct kicks in," Edmundson said. "I would do it again if I had to."

Edmundson has been a firefighter for 14 years, and he's thankful he happened to be right next door.

As for Dickson, she has no memory of any of it, but can't express how thankful she is.

"Everything clicked together," Dickson said. "It was absolutely incredible."

After five days in the hospital, Dickson said she feels healthy, happy, and over the moon grateful.

"It's a nice world out there, it's a little soon to leave it," she said.

Edmundson said he has never performed CPR off-duty before and he's thankful Dickson has recovered.