Emotional reunion for San Bernardino County firefighters, 4-year-old boy after they saved his life

SAN BERNARDINO, Calif. (KABC) -- On this Firefighter Appreciation Month, an emotional reunion took place for three San Bernardino County firefighters, a four-year-old boy and his mother.

The firefighters' quick actions during an emergency saved the life of the little boy.

Like many kids, four-year-old Jaxon Helstein loves firefighters.

But the firefighters from San Bernardino County Fire Station 81 are extra special to the Helstein family.

Three of them helped save Jaxon's life earlier this year when responding to a call about a child having trouble breathing.

"I felt like my whole life was taken away in just those seconds," Jaxon's mom, Laura Helstein, said.

She says her son hadn't been feeling well for a few days. Despite trips to the doctor, Jaxson wasn't improving, and when things took a terrifying turn, they called 911.

"Little Jaxon was gravely ill. We all three noticed right off the get-go. We've got a problem," San Bernardino County Fire Department Captain Bobby Roset said.

"He wasn't breathing right. His skin looked terrible. The way his body looked, he was limp and not responding. So, we got right to work," San Bernardino County Firefighter Paramedic Ben Mestas said.

These three firefighters, all certified paramedics, helped resuscitate little Jaxon and kept him breathing until an ambulance arrived and took him to the hospital.

"There are people who care, who know what they're doing and they're just amazing," Laura said. "They are putting 110% towards people's lives."

Jaxon was later diagnosed with a ruptured appendix and it was the quick action of these firefighters that his mom says helped give him a fighting chance.

"I will say they are my heroes, and I appreciate everything they do," said Laura.

These firefighters even visited the boy in the hospital and invited the family to bring Jaxon to the fire station once he was fully recovered.

And now that Jaxon is back to his happy self, this reunion meant so much to both his parents and the first responders who helped save his life.

"To be able to follow through with Jaxon and see that he had a positive outcome, it's a real special feeling," San Bernardino County Fire Department Fire Engineer Andrew Ball said.

"It really made me feel like they were family," Laura said.