The Longview Fire Department is handing out several honors and awards, recognizing several people who were involved in recent life-saving events. On the 16th of this month, Fire Chief Daryl McDaniel presented a Life Save Plaque to Master Firefighter Eric Bergquist and a Citizens’ Real Hero award to Miranda Brown, for their efforts on July 21st, when a man collapsed at Roy Morse Park. Bergquist was off-duty at the time; he and Brown started CPR on the man, who was unconscious and not breathing. They continued the CPR until paramedics arrived with portable defibrillator, and they were able to re-start the man’s heart. It’s speculated that the efforts of Bergquist and Brown helped to save the man’s life; Engine Company 82 was also presented with a Unit Commendation for their help in this case. . McDaniel also presented a Unit Commendation Award to Engine Company 81, for that team’s efforts in helping to save a woman who’d collapsed at the Industrial Way Food Mart on June 14th. The woman was unconscious and not breathing when the firefighters arrived on the scene; they used a portable defibrillator three times, but still had to continue CPR until the ambulance arrived. The firefighters helped the ambulance crew continue the CPR until the patient arrived at the hospital, getting the woman’s heart restarted just before they arrived. McDaniel says that the quick action by the firefighters helped to save this woman’s life.
