Excerpts from suburbanchicagoland.com:
The Orland Fire Protection District honored several firefighter/paramedics who saved the life of cardiac victim Don Torgerson.
Torgerson and his wife and son attended the meeting of the Orland Fire Protection District (OFPD) on Tuesday, Feb. 27, 2024 to express his gratitude for their lifesaving efforts.
The OFPD received a call on Nov. 30, 2023 for a person passed out at 14701 S. LaGrange Rd and Dispatcher Logan Maske immediately recognized that the patient was in cardiac arrest.
Orland Park Police Officer Sean Murphy arrived on the scene and provided CPR until the arrival of OFPD EMS, saving Torgerson’s life.
The William Bonnar Sr. Life Saving Award was presented by OFPD Fire Chief Michael Schofield and EMS Coordinator Lt. Joshua Girdick to the responding team including to:
- Ambulance 1 arrived with PC L. Ramirez and AD A. Hiller
- Utility 1 arrived with Engineer C. Murray and Firefighter J. McCleary
- Truck 1 arrived with Lieutenant B. Buenzow, Engineer S. McDonald, and Firefighter B. Steele
- Battalion Chief J. Hynes was in Command
CPR and advanced life support care were provided and the patient experienced a return of spontaneous circulation.
The patient was immediately assisted and taken by ambulance to Palos Community Hospital. All involved moved quickly and effectively to help successfully resuscitate the patient.
Torgerson, a former police officer whose father is a former firefighter, thanked the EMS response.
