Firefighter Returns to Duty From Coma Recovery

Tom Bartek.jpg

(6 News) – For Tom Bartek it’s been a long but rewarding journey. “Relief and excitement,” said Bartek. “It’s been a very surreal day.”

Bartek was a firefighter with the Papillion Fire Department for three years. He joined Omaha fire crew over 16 years ago.

Nineteen years of saving lives – eight months ago, Thursday, he nearly lost his own. Some of the doctors said they didn’t know if I was going to make it,” Bartek said.

The fireman donned a cowboy hat and began riding bulls at the rodeo to raise money for Muscular Dystrophy in 2013. CONTINUE