Kim Higgins: A&Es Nightwatch paramedic has cardiac arrest

This fund is to help support Kimberly Higgins and her family following Kim experiencing cardiac arrest.

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https://www.aetv.com/shows/nightwatch-nation/cast/kimberly

Kimberly Higgins is a 38-year-old paramedic working 911 on the ambulance for Austin/Travis County EMS in Austin, TX. Kim has been working for ATCEMS for 8 years. You might best recognize Kim from her bold personality from her starring on A&E's 911 show: 'Nightwatch Nation.'

Fun fact about Kim: she has an identical twin sister, Courtney, who is ALSO a paramedic with ATCEMS and was hired with Kim! Additionally, their younger brother Matthew works for ATCEMS! All three siblings currently work in the rank of Clinical Specialist (CS), which is equivalent to the role of a paramedic. The Higgins are obviously a public service family and every member of their immediate family is working, or has served, their communities as civil service first responders within EMS, fire, and police departments.

Since there are 3 Higgins siblings working for ATCEMS, they are a prominent name and are very well known across all of the public service sectors within the city of Austin. They are all extremely dedicated, hardworking, and intelligent providers. Everyone from ATCEMS, along with APD and AFD, are likely friends with at least ONE of the Higgins siblings.

As mentioned, Kim is an identical twin. Due to the way identical twins develop, she unfortunately experiences cardiac complications and has undergone numerous medical procedures during her tenure with ATCEMS. Fun fact: Kim diagnosed herself with a third-degree AV heart block WHILE she was working a 24-hour shift (for non-medical readers, basically the electrical signals in her heart were not transmitting and were "blocked" from communicating with one another). She discovered this heart block after providing amazing care to a critical trauma patient. This dedicated attitude goes to represent the values and character of Kim Higgins, both as a medical provider and a public servant for her community.

However on the evening of 09/11/24, Kim and her family experienced their own medical emergency. Kim went into cardiac arrest while hanging out at home with her mother (meaning that her heart stopped beating and she stopped breathing). Her mother, a retired RN, performed CPR on her daughter alone while awaiting emergency responders. Her brother, Matt, assisted with maintaining his own sister's airway by providing ventilations during her cardiac arrest. She was defibrillated successfully, regained pulses, and was transported to a local hospital. Kimberly remained intubated, sedated, and paralyzed for 3 days in the ICU before being extubated. She has since awoken, spoken, taken her first steps, and received multiple cardiac surgeries.

Kim and her family will be taking time to heal on their journey towards recovery. It can be emotionally difficult to work a cardiac arrest patient, let alone your own child and sibling. We are asking for donations to go towards the Higgins family to assist them as they navigate through this extremely traumatic and difficult time. Donations of any amount are very much appreciated and will go entirely towards the Higgins family to help cover Kim's extensive medical debt, along with costs of daily living, miscellaneous bills, food, therapy, etc.

The entire Higgins family has tirelessly worked as dedicated public servants for not only the citizens of Austin, but within multiple communities, for decades. Please consider giving back and showing your support by stepping up to assist them in their time of need today.