Though his crew is in the business of saving lives, Citizens Hose EMS Director Jim Erb was stunned when they had the chance to rescue two Harrison residents within a month.

Quick action by Harrison police and Citizens Hose Fire-Rescue-EMS helped save a woman’s life during a cardiac incident at a Princeton Avenue home in November.

It happened again, just one month later, when crews saved a man in cardiac distress at a Banbury Lane home.

“We’re fortunate enough if, once a year, the decisions we make determine if someone makes it,” Erb said. “The fact that it happened twice in about a month, we’re just ecstatic to have made a difference.”

Emergency responders were lauded during Monday’s township meeting for their efforts, which, Erb said, “absolutely determined whether two people lived or did not.”

Erb, who also serves as a township commissioner, doled out special recognition for the crews from both calls.

Recipients included Randi Shank, Brian Turack, Dan Olszewski, Cory Balog, Mark Jackson, Kelly Donahuę, Brian Gouza, Terry Anzaldi, Joshua Alan Keener, Frank Smoyer, Phillip Smozski, Olivia Comperatore, Gary Snow, Jerry Smith and Zack Mower. Erb also responded to one of the life-saving calls.

“That’s what we’re supposed to do,” said Shank, a paramedic who works a day job as a pre-hospital care coordinator at Allegheny Valley Hospital.

“I wasn’t expecting anything, but it feels good.”

Shank said Harrison is blessed with police and fire departments that are actively involved in emergency services.

“The police were first on the scene, and they started good CPR,” Shank said. “It makes a difference.”

Erb distributed challenge coins, mementos for special achievement, to each member of the two crews.

Township Commissioner Gary Meanor lauded the first responders and said Harrison is lucky to have dedicated employees and volunteers.

“These people make a difference in our community every day,” he said.

Copyright ©2025— Trib Total Media, LLC (TribLIVE.com)