Oak Lawn Firefighters Named 'Co-Paramedics of the Year'

OAK LAWN, IL -- Firefighter/Paramedics Keith Giles and Scott Staal were honored by the Illinois State VFW as “Co-Paramedics of the Year” for 2019. Members of Johnson-Phelps VFW Post 5220 nominated the Oak Lawn firefighter/paramedics.

Per OLFD Chief Mike Mavrogeorge:

“On August 25, 2018, Firefighter/Paramedic Keith Giles and Firefighter/Paramedic Scott Staal, the crew of Medic 2, were in the EMS report writing room at Advocate Christ Medical Center when a firefighter/paramedic from a local fire department, who appeared to be on his way to the same room to complete a report for his department, collapsed, went unresponsive, stopped breathing, and had no pulse. Giles and Staal quickly performed an assessment of the unconscious firefighter. Giles notified additional personnel, including the firefighter’s partner and other nearby paramedics, while Staal performed further assessment and initiated care.

The assembled crew quickly moved the firefighter to the emergency department, while simultaneously providing care, and notifying emergency department staff. There were no empty rooms in the emergency department, so, while a room was being cleared, FF/PMs Giles and Staal continued to assist by providing life-saving CPR. Care was transferred to emergency department physicians and staff for advanced care. Over the next few minutes, through the spectacular actions by the emergency department staff and initial care administered by our crew (and others), the firefighter was revived and stabilized for transport to the cardiac catheter lab.

The firefighter was diagnosed with a 100% occlusion of the LAD (left anterior descending artery); a.k.a the “widowmaker”. He had a stent inserted to restore blood flow and was moved to the ICU. He was released from the hospital to go home to his family after several days in Advocate Christ Medical Center. He is continuing his recovery.

The Fire Chief commends the actions of Firefighter/Paramedic Keith Giles and Firefighter/Paramedic Scott Staal. Their selfless service helped save the life of a fellow firefighter, and their dedication to duty and swift application of their paramedic training reflects great credit upon themselves while upholding the highest traditions of the Oak Lawn EMS-Fire-Rescue Department and the United States Fire Service.

Giles was unable to attend due to a family vacation that had been planned months previously. OLFD Bureau Chief Sharon Januszewski accepted in his place.