KCSO Search and Rescue member, Howie Long, and his wife, Jennifer Long treated several wounded people at the Las Vegas shooting on October 1.
When gunfire started, the Longs picked up several wounded people on the ground of the venue, helping as many people as possible, including Rocky Palermo, Jennifer Long said.
Howie treated Palermo, 31, in the car ride to the hospital while Jennifer spoke to Palermo's parents, promising to stay with their son until they arrived.
The first hospital they arrived at was so overwhelmed with patients with gunshot wounds, that they drove Palermo to another hospital 20 miles away.
Palermo credits the Longs for saving his life in a message:
"I just want to thank you so much Howie and Jennifer. You two saved my life in the car that night. Stuck with me for hours just to help a total stranger. If I wouldn't have stumbled upon two great people like you guys and James I know for a fact I wouldn't have made it. You two are my guardian angels. I am forever indebted to you guys for life. Because of you three people that night is the reason I can type this right now. You two are the most selfless people I have ever had the opportunity to meet. Again thank you for saving my life. You two and James are my heroes from that night."
Long has been on Search and Rescue for the past seven years. He credits the EMT training he received last year as the reason he and his wife were able to help so many people.
Long said he went into "EMT mode" when he and Jennifer gave people bandages, gauze and tourniquets in hospital lobbies.
"There was nobody in the waiting room that knew what to do, so me and Jennifer just kind of took over the waiting room and was saying, 'Put that there, and we need this, and put that person there.' Just kind of have a little order in there instead of everybody running around not knowing what to do," Long said.
His wife, Jennifer, does not have EMT training but said she knew the basics of applying pressure to wounds.
"It wasn't an accident that we just happened to be right there at that time, that vehicle, Rocky. It just all leads us to where our hands could help people," Jennifer Long said.
The Longs said Palermo was released from the hospital and has crutches, but is doing well.
