Kempsey's Allan Nugent thanks the emergency services staff who saved his life

In early March this year, Mr Hackenberg and his team were training at Kemp Street Sporting Fields.

Next to them, the Kempsey Cannonballs were going through their paces.

Because of the Cannonballs, the Fire and Rescue team almost decided to go elsewhere, but as luck would have it, they stayed.

Over with the rugby union side, coach Allan Nugent was going about his business.

The 72-year-old Cannonballs legend is a fit, healthy man.

However, that afternoon, his heart failed him.

"One of the rugby players came across and said there was a guy down and straight away we went into action, appointed a couple of guys, grabbed the defibrillator and first aid kit and came across," Mr Hackenberg recounted to the Macleay Argus.

"We sent a red message across to our communications, got an ambulance on the way and a young lady from the club had made a call too.

"She was absolutely brilliant, giving all the information on what was going on and then our guys came in and did what they had to do."

Using life-safety equipment carried on all FRNSW trucks, Fire and Rescue members started CPR before applying a defibrillator.

The defibrillator ultimately saved Mr Nugent's life.

On Tuesday night (May 4), members of the Fire and Rescue along with NSW Ambulance Paramedics Brae Pettiford, Sam Ross, Angela Viner and Summah McMurray all returned to the scene as a chance for the man they call 'Nuge' to give his thanks.

"Seeing you laying there, I thought it was history but that's what the defibrillator's all about," Mr Hackenberg added.

"Some things are meant to be and being there was certainly a part of that."

After the defibrillator did its work NSW Ambulance paramedics arrived and applied their knowledge.

"We just happened to be there and away we went, the paramedics were very quick on scene," Mr Hackenberg said.

"You get a big relief when you see these guys turn up because they're the experts, they've got the transport, they'll take over and take the pressure off us.

"It was a great team effort in how it all unfolded and here's the result."

Paramedic Brae Pettiford: "It shows how important it is to have members of the community with first aid knowledge, especially these guys having defibrillators equipped onboard, knowing how to use them and use them correctly.

"It shows how well the chain of survival works, obviously the problem was identified, sent for help, early CPR, early defibrillation and then we were able to get to definitive care after which delivered a good result.

"These guys (Fire and Rescue) did all the heavy lifting, we came and were able to pop him in the back of the ambulance and take him to the hospital.

"These guys (Fire and Rescue) did a fantastic job that afternoon."

Mr Nugent knows how fortunate he is to have survived.

"It is so good to be standing here with the people who are responsible for me still being here," he said.

"I know I'm a truly lucky fella, and I'm also a very grateful one.

"I'm lucky I decided to collapse over here, I'm lucky that Tony said we'd stay and train here and you were there on hand to bring me back.

"I'm lucky we were so close to the ambulance and you guys were here in no time.

"I'm lucky the hospital is only up the road and I was in good care there."

Mr Nugent was taken from Kempsey to Port Base Hospital, where he spent a couple of days before being informed he'd have to go to Sydney for surgery.

"I was taken to Sydney with my own private jet, private nurse - it was ripper. You've seen nothing like it, the only thing they didn't serve was drinks," he joked.

"From there it was an ambulance from Bankstown Airport into Prince of Wales hospital and into surgery."

His appreciation for everyone involved couldn't be higher.

"The care, dedication and skill of people at every level in the whole process has been brilliant," he said.

"From the first respondents who made sure I'm still standing to all the paramedics, the ladies in hospital who brought me my dinner, all they wanted was for me to get better and only cared about my welfare.

"That came through right from the cleaners in the ward to the doctor who did the work - it was all about 'you get better' and the commitment and dedication of those people is extraordinary, absolutely amazing and hopefully the people of our State know that and appreciate that.

"They need to know the work you guys do."

Nuge is a man who lives and breathes rugby union.

He's been a premiership winning player and coach for the Cannonballs and coached throughout Europe.

From his commitment to rugby and life itself, he's a healthy man but his message from this is clear.

"You're not bullet proof," he said.

"I thought I was bullet proof, I didn't have a GP, I hadn't been to the doctor for years, I didn't smoke, I thought my diet was all right, I was active and fit and then I just went bang - cholesterol plaquing in all the arteries around the heart.

"That could've been the end of me because I hadn't set up that regime of going to the doctor - had I done that it could've been a different story.

"Thank Christ there was a defibrillator with you guys, we should have them wherever we can - how many people like me collapse and don't survive?"

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