Orland First responders honored by cardiac arrest survivor
Five members of the Orland Fire Protection District were recognized Tuesday for their fast action in saving the life of a suburban man who was suffering from cardiac arrest.
Michael Owens of Orland Park and his sister Patricia said that they called 9/11 on July 17 when Michael had an apparent heart attack.
The Orland Fire Protection District responded quickly and provided emergency medical services on the scene. For a brief moment, firefighters said, Owens was unresponsive.
But the fire department paramedics were able to revive Owens and they treated him for cardiac arrest. He was immediately taken to a local hospital where his care continued, and he quickly recovered.
Owens contacted the Orland Fire Protection District to say he wanted to personally thank the first responders who came to his aide. And on Tuesday, Sept. 26, 2017, at a meeting of the Orland Fire Protection DIstrict board, Owens and his sister Patricia, were able to meet the first responders and thank them personally for saving Owens’ life.
“This is something that is so important obviously and it reminds us about the duties that we have as emergency first responders,” explained EMS Administrator Lieutenant Mark Duke.
OFPD Fire Chief Michael Schofield added, “We pride ourselves in the high level of professional training that our men and women receive and the medical care that we are able to provide to those in need at the scene.”
Duke and Schofield allowed the Owens to present Certificates of Achievement to the five first responders. They are Firefighter Mark Hogan, Firefighter Bryan Kluever, Lt. Joseph Moore, Engineer Michael Meyrick and Firefighter Brian Paliga.
“This can be very emotional for everyone,” said OFPD Board Chairman Chris Evoy. “We’re talking about the ability to save someone’s life. Our firefighters and first responders are the best qualified and best trained. And they take this responsibility very seriously.”
Owens thanked the firefighters and the board for their service to the community in presenting the certificates.
Hanania also writes about Middle East issues for the Arab News, and The Arab Daily News criticizing government policies in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Hanania was named "Best Ethnic American Columnist" by the New America Media in November 2007, and is the 2009 recipient of the SPJ National Sigma Delta Chi Award for column writing.
Email Ray Hanania at rghanania@gmail.com.
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