West End fire fighters recognized for heroic deeds
State Sen. Mario Scavello presented a certificate of recognition to Lt. Tim Burlew and firefighters Pete Soroka and Gerry Taylor for their heroic efforts in providing life saving CPR to a township resident on Oct. 29. Firefighter Jim Brooks was also part of the crew responsible for saving the patient’s life, but is not pictured. JUDY DOLGOS-KRAMER/TIMES NEWS
Captain Don Zipp also awarded the crew of Truck 43 with a Meritorious Unit Citation. Pictured left to right are Pete Soroka, Tim Burlew, Gerry Taylor, Chief Don Zipp, Assistant Chief, Robert Geyer and Captain Eric Hoffman.
At this month’s Chestnuthill Board of Supervisor’s meeting, the crew of West End Volunteer Fire Company’s Truck 43 were honored and received a certificate of recognition for saving the life of a township resident on October 29.
State Sen. Mario M. Scavello, R-40., presented the certificate to members of Truck 43 on behalf of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the residents of Monroe County. State Rep. Jack B. Rader Jr., R-176, signed the certificate along with Scavello.
The American Heart also acknowledged the crew for their performing of lifesaving cardiopulmonary resuscitation on the patient.
“Today, many Americans feel helplessness to act during an emergency because they do not know how to administer CPR or they are afraid of hurting the victim,” said the letter from the American Heart Association. “We want to recognize heroes that have stepped in to save a life. Thank you for performing the heroic act of CPR, a critical link in our chair of survival.”
The crew also received a Meritorious Unit Citation from Chief Don Zipp.
“The outcome of this event is that a person who was in cardiac arrest had been revived due to the teamwork exhibited by this unit,” Zipp said. “The EMS crew account has been that if your unit had not assisted the outcome could have been very different.”
Lt. Tim Burlew and firefighters Pete Soroka, Gerry Taylor and Jim Brooks were all honored with the certificates and a plaque.
“On behalf of all the residents and the supervisors we want to recognize your heroic effort,” said supervisor Chris Eckert. “We are eternally grateful to all of the firefighters who are out there every day serving the citizens of Chestnuthill Township.”
