Village of Westmont
Published: Jan. 23, 2013
On Jan. 21, 2013, the Village of Westmont Fire Department presented several Life Saving Awards, the 2012 Employee / Firefighter of the Year Award, and one Special Recognition Award. The Life Saving Awards were given to citizens Brandon Lipasek, Phil Vidito, Dave Wisbrock, and EMS Director Lynn Dralle. The Special Recognition Award was presented to Floyd Beine.
“We are proud of our entire Fire Department. They do a great job 24/7 throughout the year,” says Fire Chief Dave Weiss. “When special circumstances arise in which our staff and volunteers demonstrate great courage in responding to a situation, we feel it is our duty to recognize their achievement. In this case, we are very proud to honor three citizens who stepped up to assist and respond in an emergency life-and-death situation.”
On May 5, 2012, at 5:25 p.m., the Fire Department was called to respond to a child down in a pool and not breathing. Prior to the Fire Department arriving on the scene, three people at this birthday party responded to the aid of this 3-year old. Phil Vidito, Brandon Lipasek, and Dave Wisbrock all took it upon themselves to come to the aid of this drowning victim. Phil Vidito jumped into the pool and pulled the boy's unresponsive body out of the pool and handed him over to Brandon Lipasek and Dave Wisbrock, who both started CPR. They did compressions until Henry opened his eyes and coughed up water. Without the quick actions of these three individuals, the outcome of this call could have been tragic.
Fire Dept. Paramedic and EMS Director Lynn Dralle also received a Life Saving Award for a different emergency call. Dralle responded as a medic mutual aid to a Tri-State Fire District ambulance call regarding a 53 year old male patient with chest pains. On transporting this patient to Hinsdale hospital, he went into full arrest. Lynn quickly responded and de-fib the patient three times while in transport to the hospital. After this, the patient returned to a normal heart rhythm. He was breathing on his own and had a good pulse when they arrived at the hospital. He went home five days later and survival this situation.
The Westmont Fire Department also presented Firefighter Paramedic Chris Gerlich with the Westmont Fire Department 2012 Employee / Firefighter of the Year Award. The Westmont Fire Department Awards Committee received and reviewed numerous, well qualified nominees for the prestigious annual award and Chris was named the recipient.
Also on this night, Chief Weiss and the Fire Department recognized Floyd Beine for his service and dedication to the community. Floyd has been a volunteer with the Westmont Emergency Management Agency for the past 10 years.
The Westmont Fire Department thanks everyone being honored for their commitment to the Village of Westmont and its citizens.
Contact: Larry McIntyre
Village of Westmont Media Relations Coordinator
630-417-0280, lmcintyre@westmont.il.gov
