Ill. Event Reunites Survivors With Responders Who Saved Them

May 21--ROCKFORD -- Jeff Williams was fixing a neighbor's water heater on Dec. 22, the day after his birthday, when he almost died.

He had to return to his house to get more tools, but his heart stopped beating as he walked through his neighbor's living room. He doesn't remember anything after collapsing, except waking up in the hospital about a week later.

A neighbor's friend performed CPR until EMTs from the Rockford Fire Department arrived. Williams wasn't able to thank those who saved him -- until today.

Williams, 53, was one of several survivors who mingled with and thanked emergency responders at a survivors and responders event hosted by the Fire Department at University of Illinois College of Medicine at Rockford.

"It was great meeting them," Williams said while talking with three of the responders who were there the day he collapsed. "My birthday was Dec. 21, but now I say it's Dec. 22, because they revived me."

For eight years, the annual event has united survivors with the responders who saved their lives. It began in 2008 as a way to recognize faculty and others who saved a heart attack victim at Eisenhower Middle School. It has grown every year since.

"Sometimes it can provide closure to the patient," said Bob Vertiz, event coordinator. "For our own personnel that responds ... this shows with proper training and hard work and determination, good things can happen and work out the way they're supposed to."

Mark Reeser, the driver of the engine that arrived first after Williams collapsed, said the event is "a great opportunity to see people continue their lives."

"Most of them have a new lease on life," he said. "It renews our faith in what we do."

Rockford Fire Chief Derek Bergsten emceed the gathering. Several survivors spoke, including Armando Quinones, who suffered a heart attack in 2012, was revived and continued his love for running at such events as the Boston Marathon. This weekend, he's running in the Rockford Marathon.

"The doctors still don't understand what happened that day," he told the crowd, "but it wasn't my time."

Dave Buse was the most recent survivor attending the event. Last week, while at a hockey game at Riverview Ice House, he was saved by Rockford Park District personnel and off-duty EMTs after going into cardiac arrest.

A video of Buse's story -- taped during his stay in the hospital -- was shown during the event. No one knew whether he would be able to attend.

He was, and it was an emotional reunion.

"(I) will never be able to thank them," he said. "This is the least I can do. The best I can do is do something with my life from here on out."

Adam Poulisse: 815-987-1344; apoulisse@rrstar.com; @adampoulisse

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