Greensburg honors firefighters and police officers for lifesaving rescue

Greensburg honored 10 police officers and firefighters Monday for their role in saving a man’s life.

On January 29th, first responders were called to Autumn Brook Apartment Homes on Luzerne Street for a report of a man who was unconscious, according to city Fire Chief Tom Bell.

Police officers arrived first and used an automated external defibrillator to keep him alive, Bell said.

Firefighters were close behind. Several firefighters took turns doing CPR while waiting for medics, who arrived soon after, according to Bell.

Medics took the man to the hospital and officials told Bell the man is alive because of the efforts of first responders.

“The city is no doubt very fortunate to have two such great departments who work so hard every day to protect each and every citizen of this great city,” Bell said during Monday’s city council meeting.

“Some say these guys are just doing their job, and they are, but sometimes it’s nice to let them know just doing their job is well appreciated by all,” he said.

Mayor Robert Bell (no relation to the fire chief) presented the awards to the men at Monday’s council meeting.

Receiving awards were: Ken Bacha, assistant fire chief; Ken Burke, police officer; Done Cole, police sergeant; Elliott Fejes, police officer; Rob Giles, fire department captain; Brad Grabiak, police officer; Derek Manley, fire department lieutenant; Mike Sheffler, fire department lieutenant; Jeff Swartz, assistant fire chief; and Brian Turpin, fire department captain.