Rapid Response and Bystander CPR Save Woodburn Father’s Life

Woodburn, OR – Thursday, April 9, 2026, is a date that Woodburn resident Ian Bostrom and his wife, Emma, will never forget.

That evening, the couple, along with their three children, ages 9 to 2 months, were at home when Ian began experiencing pressure and pain in his chest. Emma, who is currently studying to become a nurse practitioner, quickly recognized the seriousness of the symptoms. Within minutes, Ian lost consciousness and stopped breathing.

Emma immediately called 9-1-1 and began performing bystander CPR.

METCOM 9-1-1 operators Emilee, Bryanna, and Jessica provided critical guidance and support over the phone, as Emma continued lifesaving care by dispatching Woodburn Fire District and Woodburn Ambulance crews.

In just five minutes, Woodburn Fire District’s Engine 21 A Shift arrived on scene.

Firefighter Paramedics Max Sucher and David Nelson and Firefighter EMT Dylan Selleck immediately took over CPR efforts and deployed the LUCAS device, which provides consistent, high-quality chest compressions. Lieutenant Jesse Halpern coordinated patient care, gathered critical information, and maintained communication with dispatch and incoming resources.

Paramedics administered medications to stimulate Ian’s heart, secured his airway with a breathing tube, and delivered defibrillation shocks. Their coordinated efforts successfully restored a pulse on scene.

Ian was transported to the hospital, where he remained for only a few days before returning home to his family. He has since made a full recovery.

“We are just incredibly and forever thankful for such caring and capable first responders in our community,” said Ian Bostrom. “My wife’s initial CPR would not have had a chance without the incredibly fast response in minutes from the firefighters. The care and concern of that team, and their continued investment in our wellbeing has been amazing. My perspective on those services and team members in the community has forever changed.”

This successful outcome highlights the critical importance of both rapid emergency response and immediate bystander intervention.

In recent years, the Woodburn Fire District has been able to significantly improve response capabilities thanks to a federal SAFER (Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response) grant. This funding allowed the district to increase daily staffing, ensuring that two fully staffed engine companies are available every day.

Prior to this increase, limited staffing often required reliance on neighboring agencies during simultaneous emergencies, which could delay response times. In cardiac arrest situations, where every second without intervention decreases survival chances, rapid response is essential.

The district is currently seeking to sustain these staffing levels through a local option levy that will appear on the May 2026 ballot.

“Unfortunately, cases like Mr. Bostrom’s are not infrequent, and as we see in this case, they don’t just happen to our senior citizen population. Mr. Bostrom is a young, healthy, 10-year Marine Corp. Veteran, demonstrating that no one is immune to cardiac events. It is vital for us to maintain our current staffing, to best serve the communities of Woodburn, Gervais, and the 75 square miles within our fire district. Equally important to the chain of survival is the role of bystanders. Immediate CPR, as seen by Mrs. Bostrom can double or even triple a person’s chance of survival in cardiac arrests.”

The Woodburn Fire District encourages all community members to learn CPR and how to use an AED (Automated External Defibrillator). CPR/AED classes are regularly offered by the district and provide the skills needed to act confidently in an emergency.

This incident serves as a powerful reminder: survival depends on a chain of actions—from recognizing the emergency, calling 9-1-1, and starting CPR, to rapid response and advanced medical care. Together, these actions saved a life.

For more information about CPR/AED training opportunities, please visit www.woodburnfire.com/heart-saver-cpr-aed-class