From the PH Journal:

By Emma Dempsey | on July 09, 2019

Members of the Prospect Heights Fire District took time Monday (July 8) to honor Gabriele Noreikaite and Tom Ciupka who recently helped save a man’s life.

On June 2, the two were visiting family in Prospect Heights when they heard a crash nearby, Fire Chief Drew Smith said.

Noreikaite and Ciupka found the driver unresponsive, not breathing and slumped over the wheel of his vehicle. They removed the man from his car and administered CPR until paramedics arrived.

It was later learned that the man driving had gone into cardiac arrest.

Smith noted that people are often hesitant to perform CPR, but commended Noreikaite and Ciupka for their quick actions.

“They didn’t hesitate to act,” Smith said.

Smith made note to those who might be scared to perform CPR:

“They’re already dead. Nothing you do is going to make them more deader, but anything you do might make them better.”

Smith said Ciupka was unable to attend the ceremony, but his parents were there to accept the award on his behalf.

The man whose life Noreikaite and Ciupka saved was also at the ceremony, along with his daughter.

The paramedic team that cared for the man also received recognition.

The second part of the ceremony featured the swearing in of the fire district’s newest full-time firefighter, Michael Lynch, who started as a part-time employee two years ago.

Smith also swore in four part-time firefighters: Nicholas Fuderer, Carson Zastrow, Jacob Senese, and Patrick Collins.