Excerpts from the ChicagoTribune.com:

The emergency call came to the Elmhurst Fire Department late on a cold night this past February. An ambulance was needed at the Elmhurst YMCA, 211 W. 1st St.

For the firefighters and paramedics who responded, the call was almost routine. For 58-year old Frank Sangiacomo, who was having a heart attack, it was anything but routine.

Sangiacomo told the story Monday to the Elmhurst City Council as Andrea White of Elmhurst Hospital recognized first responders firefighter/paramedics with a Run of the Month award for their actions that saved Sangiacomo’s life.

Sangiacomo, a longtime hockey player, had gotten off the ice at about 11 that February night after a pickup game and happened to be changing clothes next to off-duty Elmhurst FD Lt. Jeff Hayes.

As I headed for the shower, the room started spinning and I couldn’t focus,” said Sangiacomo, adding that he’d been playing with some chest pain for a couple of weeks.

Hayes suggested calling an ambulance.

“Jeff got the ball rolling. Without him, I’m sure I wouldn’t be standing here,” he said.

Paramedics Chris Placzek and Samantha Georges, joined by Elmhurst Fire Department Lt. Steve Wroble and firefighters Eric Davidson and Scott Wardzala, responded.

White, emergency medical services coordinator for the hospital, said the award recognizes excellence in such areas as communications with the hospital and clinical assessment.

thanks Dan

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