Brothers who responded when their father needed them most, a police officer, and two men who came to the rescue of a country club patron during a medical emergency were recognized during last month’s Orland Fire Protection District’s board meeting for their life-saving actions.
Matthew and John Weimar, 24 and 25, received the Battalion Chief William Bonnar Sr. Citizen Life Saving Award for performing CPR on their father, 61, when he went into cardiac arrest in his home Sept. 3, said fire district officials.
“Because of their prompt actions … their father was successfully resuscitated,” said Lt. Mark Duke.
Matthew Weimar, who had three years of lifeguard training, even said the incident has made him consider pursuing EMT or fire service training.
Also receiving the Citizen Life Saving Award was Dave Carlson, an employee at the Riviera Country Club in Orland Park, and Larry Yakutis, a patron at the club, who on Oct. 23 jumped into action when they noticed another patron suffering a medical emergency while in a hot tub, officials said.
More Top Picks Best Leg Compression Massagers For Seniors
The 48-year-old man became unconscious and Carlson and Yakutis helped remove him from the water and begin CPR, Duke said. The man was successfully resuscitated and is still being treated for medical issues, officials said. His wife and son, however, attended the meeting to thank the men for their quick actions.
Also during the meeting, the fire district presented the Chief Art Granat Sr. Award of Merit to Orland Police Officer Troy Siewert who on Oct. 27, responded to Orland Bakery where a woman was choking. When he arrived, she was laying unconscious on the floor, officials said. Siewert began chest compressions until paramedics arrived, and the woman was taken to the hospital where she made a full recovery, officials said.
“I think this just speaks volumes to the amount of cooperation that happens for effective public safety for the residents of the Orland Fire Protection District,” said Chief Ken Brucki.