Posts Tagged Prospect Heights FD firefighter critically injured in motorcycle crash

Des Plaines FD news (more)

Excerpts from the journal-topics.com:

At 11 a.m. Friday (Oct. 2), the family of a Des Plaines Firefighter/Paramedic Paul Miller, Jr., who perished in a tragic accident, will meet one of several individuals he saved. Paul served both the McHenry Township Fire Protection District and the Des Plaines Fire Department before he died from injuries sustained from a motorcycle accident last April.

After Miller’s family learned he would not be able to recover from his injuries, they fulfilled his wish to become an organ donor. According to his mother, donations have gone to at least nine recipients through the Gift of Hope organization.  As patients began to receive the donations, she made sure to send them letters. However, because Gift of Hope has to work with other organizations to match organs and recipients, there were some communication challenges. 

Leo Forster, a man in his 70s who did not expect to get a new set of lungs due to his age, was so surprised and thankful that he also made an effort to contact Miller’s family. Eventually, Forster and the Millers were able to speak.  Forster and his wife travelled from their home in Cheboygan, MI, to McHenry so they could meet the Miller family in front of Paul Miller’s memorial globe on the McHenry Riverwalk. 

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Des Plaines FD news (more)

From the MABAS Illinois Facebook page:

It is in great sadness we share the following:

Firefighter/Paramedic Paul Miller’s condition is unchanged – he remains on life-support – and it has been determined that recovery is medically impossible. Pursuant to Paul’s previously-expressed wishes, Paul’s family has courageously decided to terminate life-support.

In keeping with Paul’s giving attitude and generosity – also pursuant to his expressed wishes – several of his organs will be donated so that other may live and flourish through – and with – Paul’s spirit. The donation process may take another 36-to-72 hours.

Today, Tuesday April 23rd at 4:00 PM, there will be a Flag Ceremony held at the main hospital flagpole of Advocate Condell Medical Center, 801 S. Milwaukee Ave in Libertyville, where a “Gift of Hope” flag will be raised in recognition of Paul’s gifts of life to others. The brief ceremony will be led by Des Plaines Fire Department Chaplain David Haley. All available personnel are welcome.

The organ donation process is very fluid, as match-testing, recipient notification and preparation, and other processes take time – and anticipated time frames have not yet been determined. Such processes are expected to take longer than 24-hours from now (1:00 pm on Tuesday).

We will provide additional information in future updates.

Alan Wax, Fire Chief, Des Plaines Fire Department 

Tony Huemann, Fire Chief, McHenry Township Fire Protection District

From Des Plaines Professional Firefighters Association IAFF Local 4211

Today we ask you to continue to keep Paul and his family in your thoughts and prayers during this extremely difficult time.

FF/PM Paul Miller
 
FF/PM Paul Miller

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Des Plaines FD news

From Facebook Sunday, 4/19/19

Prospect Heights FD firefighter critically injured in motorcycle crash

From the Des Plaines Professional Firefighters Association IAFF Local 4211

An unfortunate accident this morning has left a member of our department in critical condition. Please keep him and his family in your thoughts and prayers tonight. Stay strong brother, you got this.

Des Plaines Firefighter Paul Miller

Tim Olk photo

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