KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Brandon Hullinger, a 17-year veteran firefighter with the Kansas City, Missouri, Fire Department, was praised for his work afterjumping into action and saving a child from drowning while he was off-duty.
Hullinger lives in the Coves, north of the Missouri River, and was relaxing at his neighborhood pool when he heard someone scream for help.
"I heard somebody yell, ‘Does anybody know CPR?’" Hullinger said. "My first thought was, ‘Did I just hear that right?'"
Hullinger helped perform CPR on the 7-year-old until they were stable and emergency medical services arrived.
The child was transported to Children's Mercy and is expected to recover, according to KCFD.
"When I knew the child was starting to breathe and stuff, that was a huge relief," Hullinger said. "I felt like at least we have a shot at that point."
KSHB 41's Caroline Hogan spoke with Hullinger and neighbors who said a lifeguard wasn't on duty and hasn't been for a while.
"We used to have lifeguards on duty — two lifeguards on duty — and a couple of years ago, they made the switch to just having a security guard," Hullinger said.
The security guard also helped give CPR to the child.
Hullinger said he doesn't consider himself a hero. Rather, he said he was just doing his life's work — not just as a firefighter but as a father.
"I mean, it's the worst nightmare for a parent," Hullinger said.
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KSHB 41 reporter Caroline Hogan covers development across the Kansas City area. Share your story idea with Caroline.
