Waldorf VFD Chief 3A DJ Mills

January 22, 2012

This afternoon, Waldorf VFD Chief 3A DJ Mills suffered a major medical emergency while playing hockey for the DCFD team in Laurel, MD. DJ collapsed in full cardiac arrest while skating on the ice approximately 10 minutes after the game started. Fortunately, DJ was surround by firefighters, EMTs and Medics who immediately reacted to the emergency. CPR was initiated within seconds and and automated external defibrillator (AED) was used several times on him. PG medics transported DJ to Laurel Regional Medical Center and shocked him several additional times while enroute. Medics were able to re-establish a heartbeat prior to arriving at the hospital.

Chief 3 was notified of the situation and immediately began to notify DJ's family. Chief 3 and Chief 3B immediately picked up DJ's wife and transported her to the hospital. Once there, the doctors met with the family and the decision was made to transfer DJ to Washington Hospital Center. Due to the weather, all helicopters were down so DJ was transported by Ambulance to Washington Hospital Center. DJ was admitted to the Corinary Care Unit ICU (Ward 3H) in critical condition.

While everything was happening in Laurel, word began to spread through the firehouses on what happened. On behalf of the WaldorfVFD, we would like to thank all of the departments that called offering support, thoughts, and prayers. Additionally, we would like to thank all of the members of the WaldorfVFD who offered support to DJ and his family.

DJ is also a paid firefighter with the District of Columbia Fire Department assigned to Tower 3. Members of the WaldorfVFD and DCFD remained at the hospital with DJ's family through the night.

At this time, there is no additional information to report. Please keep DJ in your thoughts and prayers. As more information is received, we will update this page accordingly.

January 23, 2012

Update: DJ is currently still intubated and sedated. Doctors advise that there are many questions and only a few answers at this time. Hopefully, there will be more information in the next 48-72hours. WaldorfVFD and DCFD are working to establish 24hour watches for DJ and his family. Please continue to keep DJ in your thoughts and prayers.

January 24, 2012

Update: No significant change in DJ's status. Doctors have begun the process of warming DJ's core body tempurature back to normal. This is a very slow process and may take 1-2 days to accomplish. Please continue to keep DJ and his family in your thoughts and prayers.

January 25, 2012

Update: There is some good news today. For a very brief moment, DJ was somewhat awake and was responding to the doctor's verbal commands. Afterward, DJ was sedated again to allow his body core temperature to stablize. DJ's family, DCFD and WaldorfVFD continue to be at his side around the clock. Please keep DJ and his family in your thoughts and prayers.

January 26, 2012

Update: The breathing tube has been removed today and DJ is breathing on his own! DJ continues to show great progress as he is able to move his arms and legs when requested. Please continue to keep DJ and his family in your thoughts and prayers.

January 27, 2012

Update: This morning, DJ spoke for the first time. He is now able to sit up and move to the chair on his own. DJ has no memory of what happened and was told by family members of everything that transpired. Please continue to keep DJ and his family in your thoughts and prayers.

January 29, 2012

Update: DJ has been moved from the ICU to a private room. The new room number is 4F27. DJ's condition continues to improve everyday. DJ will be undergoing additional test in the next few days. Please continue to keep DJ and his family in your thoughts and prayers.

January 29, 2012

Update: DJ has been moved from the ICU to a private room. The new room number is 4F27. DJ's condition continues to improve everyday. DJ will be undergoing additional test in the next few days. Please continue to keep DJ and his family in your thoughts and prayers.

February 13, 2012

Update: DJ was released from the hospital on February 2 and returned home to his family. Since his release, DJ has gone back to the hospital for an additional procedure. Since then, DJ has been resting at home. On February 8, DJ appeared at the Waldorf VFD's monthly business meeting to the delight of everyone in attendence. To the credit of his humor, DJ announced that he was living proof that AEDs really do make a difference.

DJ would like to thank everyone for the outpouring of support for him and his family that was received during past few weeks. As DJ said to everyone, "It truly is amazing the amount of support this department has when it comes together to help a fallen comrade."

Welcome Back, Chief!!