Correction: One of the dispatchers we named as Ben Francisco is actually Dan Francisco. We apologize for the error.
Several Marseilles emergency service workers were honored for their actions in different incidents at Wednesday’s meeting. Police Chief Brian Faber gave out the honors. Mayor Jim Hollenbeck says on WCMY’s Morning Meeting Thursday, one incident that occurred last month involved resident Jim White, who had a heart attack.
911 dispatcher Stacy Fuentes was able to help his daughter Kaylee start CPR before first responders showed up.
Others honored were dispatchers Jacqueline Boyer and Dan Francisco. Paramedics Stephanie Brewer, Ben Lakan, Jake Waikus, Geo Rickter, and Wes Budach were also thanked for helping save Jim White’s life. Detective Mike Bird and Marseilles Firefighters Larry Cowie, Jeff Owens, and Travis Johnson were also honored, as well as Fire Chief Dave Parrot. And Officers Don Weiss and Trey Schorn received life saving awards for performing CPR.
Mayor Hollenbeck was also presented a life saving award for his job as deputy fire chief.
Hollenbeck says White made it and was at Wednesday’s city council meeting. He also says in another incident, Officer Alfonso Valdez used his crisis intervention training. He says Valdez helped talk down a person from jumping off of the Illinois River Bridge.
This is what the awards that were given to several emergency service members looked like.