A fireman for Miramar Fire Rescue had to jump in to save his own daughter, who had a sudden severe allergic reaction while she was cat sitting for a friend in July. Thanks to the quick thinking of her father and his crew, she is alive and well.
Miramar Fire Rescue Lieutenant Joseph Gilhauley and his daughter Taylor have a strong bond, but it was almost broken one day.
"On July 5th of this year we responded to a call back here at the fire station not knowing that the patient that I was going to treat was my daughter," Joseph Gilhauley said.
Taylor happened to be cat sitting for a friend, when she knocked over the litter box and that's when things went terribly wrong.
"All of a sudden I felt this incredible pressure in my chest and then it started to get tight tight," Taylor Gilhauley.
Taylor was rushed over to Station 19 where her father works. He was out on a call, but thanks to the quick actions of his crew Joseph was able to run back over. However, he never expected to come face to face with his very own daughter.
"She was at that point on the verge of moderate to having a severe allergic reaction," Joseph said.
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It turns out Taylor is allergic to cat dander and dust mites.
"Had it been another 10 or 15 minutes, it would have been a very devastating situation," Joseph explained. "I am thankful for my crew who also knows my daughter personally. They performed outstanding above and beyond in my opinion."
"My dad had always been my hero," Taylor said. "Ever since I was little he's the first man, the only man that I've ever loved so it's incredible for him to be able to do this and his crew is also just amazing."
While severe allergies like Taylor's can present a difficult situation they have a relatively easy solution: an EpiPen.
"EpiPens are basically epinephrine and they're designed to be easy for the lay person to use," said Bo Rosenblat, medical director of Miramar Fire Rescue. "Basically, take off the cap and you hold it over your thigh and you hit your thigh and it injects itself."
This little tool helps provide life saving measures until rescue crews can arrive. Now Taylor has one at all times and her and her father hope their survival story can raise awareness about allergies.
"Go to your doctor," Joseph said. "Go get allergy tested and then if you do need an EpiPen go get a prescription from your doctor and get it safely."
