Williamsville firefighters revive fellow member during parade
by KELLY JACKSON Reporter

Williamsville firefighters gather in prayer near a Twin City ambulance while paramedics work inside on a comrade who went into cardiac arrest during Monday's parade. Photo by Jim Smerecak Purchase color photos at www.BeeNews.com

Monday's Memorial Day parade attendees witnessed members of the Williamsville Fire Department save the life of one of their own in the middle of Main Street.

Firefighter Tim Kuzon, carrying the department's flag, lost consciousness at 2:17 p.m. while marching at the intersection of Main and Garrison.

Fire chief Chris Petrie, who was walking directly behind Kuzon, noticed the firefighter wobbling and caught him as his legs went out underneath him.

With the assistance of other firefighters, the crew was able to bring Kuzon, 52, safely to the ground while he gasped for air.

He then went into cardiac arrest.

Within 30 seconds, Petrie said, he and the 12 other firefighters marching in the parade were able to retrieve the automatic external defibrillator and begin administering aid. The defibrillator was located in the chief's first response vehicle trailing directly behind the marchers.

"There wasn't a delay in anything. We went right to work," said Petrie. "We did what we do best."

The silent crowd watched as the firefighters administered CPR and one shock through the defibrillator to Kuzon, which was enough to restart his heart. Parade participants marching behind the Fire Department stopped while firefighters worked on Kuzon.

"There was a lot of concern. You could tell in the crowd there were a lot of scared kids," Petrie said, noting that he heard children crying.

A crew from Twin City Ambulance responded almost instantly after hearing Petrie contact Amherst Fire Control to dispatch a rig for a firefighter down. They had been standing by at Sheridan Drive and Hopkins Road.

Paramedic Gerald Weaver and intermediate Pete Scheiber continued to deliver life support and were en route to Millard Fillmore Suburban Hospital nine minutes after Kuzon was stricken.

When the ambulance began pulling away, crowds on both sides of the street applauded.

The remaining firefighters stood in a circle to pray for Kuzon before continuing in the parade.

"I'm very proud of their professionalism in the way they were able to get back up and finish the parade. They're a great group of men and women," said Petrie. "They showed their skills, they showed their training, and they showed how it benefits the community." Petrie said Kuzon is doing well and will be transported to Millard Fillmore Gates Circle Hospital for further testing.