Firefighters to be Honored for Life-Saving Efforts

In their life-saving efforts to revive a 53-year-old Garden City resident in full cardiac arrest on his front lawn in May, Lt. Rob Noonan and career firefighters Don Marra and Pete Thorp will be honored Feb. 16 when the American Legion's Garden City Post No. 265 holds its annual Law and Order Night.

The event, which takes place promptly at 7:30 p.m. at the senior center on Golf Club Lane, honors individuals who have performed outstanding services for the Garden City community.

Living just across the street from Station 3, the victim's family knew exactly where to turn for help, as his wife frantically banged on the firehouse doors knowing someone would answer.

Firefighters immediately notified Fire Headquarters to send Garden City police and a Nassau County ambulance to the location. Lt. Noonan and Firefighters Thorp and Marra arrived on scene within minutes.

Lt. Noonan assumed CPR compressions while Firefighter Thorp, an EMT, attached the Automated External Defibrillator (AED) pads. Once connected, he shocked the patient twice and was able to get him breathing again.

"The sooner you get an AED in place, the person's chances of living exponentially increases, the survivability increases tremendously by getting that quick shock," Lt. Noonan said following the incident. "I think the fact that we were able to get there a couple of minutes ahead of time, get the AED started, with Firefighter Thorp being an EMT, it aided the situation tremendously."

The victim was rushed to Winthrop-University Hospital in critical condition but was later released.

"It is due to the actions of Lieutenant Noonan, Firefighter Marra and Firefighter Thorp that this gentleman was able to be released from the hospital; and we place their names in nomination for the 2011 American Legion Law & Order Award," Fire Chief William Graham states in a letter sent to American Legion Commander John Donovan in January announcing the department's nominees.

Every career firefighter in Headquarters Company is required to undergo CPR/first responder training, including ongoing refresher courses. All fire department engines, command vehicles and rescue trucks are equipped with defibrillators.