Kansas City Fire Department commends bystanders who saved two people's lives
FOX4 spoke with two people who jumped into action when one of their customers went into cardiac arrest.
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Nine years as a server at Kate's Kitchen and this was a first: Chloe Rueter helped save a life.
She said the customer collapsed right in front of her. Rueter said she called 911 immediately.
'He's one of our regulars that have been coming in here for a very long time,' Rueter said. 'It was very scary.'
Server Molly Budzinski said they couldn't find a pulse. That's when she and another customer, a nurse, started hands only CPR.
'There for a moment, you're literally someone's heartbeat and that is a lot to come to terms with and understand,' Budzinski said. 'But I would do it again in a heartbeat because it is someone's life – no matter how scared you are in that moment.'
The KCFD said a dispatcher helped the Kate's Kitchen crew stay calm, while Rueter stayed on the line until emergency crews got to the restaurant.
'They responded within minutes, but those minutes felt like forever when you're trying to save a life,' Rueter said.
That afternoon, at the Hy-Vee off Barry Road, another person went into cardiac arrest.
Battalion Chief Michael Hopkins said employees jumped into action and began performing CPR. They also applied an AED.
'It's crucial; it's not like it is in the movies,' Hopkins said. 'Your chance of survival outside of a hospital is less than 10%—it's closer to 5%. That increases with fast CPR starting and AED application.
'The sooner you can start CPR and AED, the better.'
He said the people who took action helped emergency responders save those people's lives.
'I'm not sure the names of the individuals who jumped in yesterday, but the families of these patients owe them a big hug,' Hopkins said.
Rueter said she took CPR classes in high school, and Budzinski said she's CPR certified.
They are encouraging everyone to get trained.
'Get CPR certified, and 911 is your best friend in those moments,' Budzinski said.
'It saved a life. I don't feel like a hero. It was actually one of the scariest 20 minutes of my life, but I'm really grateful he's okay.'
Family members of the man who collapsed stopped by the restaurant to say thank you and snap a photo of the staff.
'They took a picture with us and said 'we've got to show him back at the hospital' and 'he's going to love to see you guys,'' Rueter said. 'I would want them to do it for my family members.'
Hopkins said both people were conscious and talking when they got to the hospital. They're expected to make full recoveries.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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