By JAN LARSON McLAUGHLIN
BG Independent News
The 10 people who helped save Robert Shirey’s life were honored Monday for taking action when their co-worker went into cardiac arrest this past summer.
And Shirey was there to thank them with handshakes and hugs at the Bowling Green City Council meeting.
“Robert is standing with us today because of the quick action of his co-workers,” said Bowling Green Municipal Administrator Lori Tretter.
His co-workers who reacted quickly to save his life were Jaclyn Noirot, Jessica Bidinger, Donald Satkowski, John Taylor, Mark Bressler, Trever West, Michael Kruse, Andrew Beaverson, Ross Echler, Phoenix Neal and Jeffery Ellis.
On July 17, the Bowling Green Fire Division received a request for an ambulance to respond to the Ohio Department of Transportation facility on Poe Road for a cardiac arrest with CPR in progress. When the medics arrived, to their surprise, the patient – Shirey – was sitting upright and talking.
The co-workers on the scene stated they witnessed Shirey collapse to the ground. They immediately assessed his vitals and found he was not breathing and had no pulse. So they quickly formulated a plan and immediately started CPR and sent someone to get their AED. The AED was retrieved and was applied to the patient. It analyzed the cardiac rhythm and confirmed that a shock was needed.
Shortly after the shock was given, Shirey started breathing and a pulse quickly returned. He had received approximately 3.5 minutes of CPR. Shirey was then taken by BG EMS to St. Luke’s Hospital for further treatment.
Bowling Green City Council President Mike Aspacher thanked Shirey’s co-workers for their “selfless response” to a person in need.
“These days it’s easier sometimes to turn the other way, but you didn’t,” he said.
Also at Monday’s meeting, council appointed Joe Phillips to the city planning commission. He will take the place of Gary Hess, who recently stepped down.
“He’s had a positive impact in so many different ways,” Aspacher said of Hess’ service to the community.
“He was very committed to this community,” Mayor Dick Edwards said. “You couldn’t ask for a more dedicated person.”
In other business:
- Edwards announced the annual Peace March will start at 11:30 a.m., on Wednesday, in the Wooster Green.
- Bowling Green Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Mary Hinkelman reminded that the holiday parade will be on Nov. 23, starting at 9:45 a.m.
- Parks and Recreation Director Kristin Otley said the next focus group will be held Nov. 13, at 7 p.m., in the community center, to discuss Ridge and Carter parks.
- Public Utilities Director Brian O’Connell talked about the honor of Bowling Green being named one of only two “Smart Energy” cities in Ohio.
- Public Works Director Brian Craft talked about the work remaining on the Interstate 75 overpass, including the paving of the multi-use path and the completion of the lighting.
- Craft said the city continues to encourage people to mulch their leaves for their lawns rather than for the leaf collection. “Love ‘em and leave em,” he said.
