Muscle Shoals firefighter Sharpston awarded for off-duty medical aid

A medical emergency is something unexpected that could happen to anyone at any time.

One minute you are enjoying a dinner outing at a local restaurant, and the next you are fighting for your life.

Such was the case on Jan. 27 at Outback Steakhouse in Florence.

Wesley Sharpston, a 27-year-old from Tuscumbia who works at Muscle Shoals Fire Department, was out eating dinner with members of his family.

He told longtime broadcast journalist Rick Karle, who shared the story on his Facebook page, he heard a child yell and turned his head to see what the commotion was.

“I saw a man passed out on the floor — I knew it was game time,” Sharpston told Karle.

Sharpston, and two members of his party, Nick and Taylor Wallace, who happen to be nurses, sprang into action.

According to Muscle Shoals Fire Chief John Hyde, Sharpston assessed the patient, found the man did not have a pulse, and began administering CPR.

He also began communicating with 911, giving updates as a first responder on the scene.

“Despite the restaurant not having an AED available, Wesley continued to do CPR until the patient regained a pulse and began breathing,” Hyde told the Muscle Shoals City Council during its March 16 meeting.

“They did a total of two rounds of CPR before the patient regained a pulse. By the time Florence Fire and EMS arrived, the patient was conscious and able to respond to questions. He was transported to a nearby hospital.”

Thanks to his efforts, Hyde presented Sharpston with the Lifesaving Award during the meeting.

“Driver Sharpson’s quick actions, training and willingness to step up while off duty directly contributed to saving this man’s life,” Hyde told the Council. “His actions represent professionalism, dedication and character we are proud to have here in the Muscle Shoals Fire Department.”

As Hyde handed Sharpston the medal, everyone in the room stood and applauded the young firefighter and his lifesaving efforts.

As part of a city update via Shoals Insider, Mayor Billy Hudson commended Sharpston and all members of the city’s emergency services personnel.

“Firemen, policemen and other emergency responders are always ‘on the job’ as they have been trained to do. If you see one of our public safety professionals that work 24/7, please thank them for always putting our safety first,” Hudson said.

Muscle Shoals Fire Department posted a statement to social media while sharing a post about Sharpston and his efforts.

“We are incredibly proud of all our dedicated personnel who serve our great city every single day. Their commitment is a true reflection of the values upheld by both our fire department and police force.

“Whether it’s assisting someone on the side of the road during a difficult moment or stepping in to save lives in critical situations, these men and women consistently go above and beyond the call of duty. Their actions — big and small — demonstrate compassion, professionalism, and unwavering service to our community.

“This is not a one-time effort, but a continuous commitment we witness day after day. We are truly fortunate and grateful to have such outstanding individuals representing and protecting our city with integrity and pride.”