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Collinsville honors firefighters, police and dispatchers after December cardiac arrest resuscitation
Summary
City leaders honored the Collinsville emergency responders who used new cardiac monitors and coordinated CPR and defibrillation on Dec. 23, 2025, actions officials say helped return a 66-year-old patient to recovery. A ZOLL representative presented awards to crew members.
Deputy Fire Chief Kevin Reese told the Collinsville City Council on March 24 that a coordinated response on Dec. 23, 2025, saved the life of a 66-year-old who collapsed at home. "Recognizing the signs of cardiac arrest, providing clear pre-arrival instructions, and initiating high-quality CPR and defibrillation gave the patient the best possible chance for survival," Reese said, describing telecommunicator Mikaela Becker's rapid recognition, Engine 1212's first-on-scene CPR and use of a newly deployed ZOLL Xenyx monitor, and paramedics who continued advanced life support.
The presentation, introduced by Fire Chief John Balow, credited a continuous, multidisciplinary chain of care that included Collinsville police, telecommunicators and firefighters. "Each link in the chain performed with precision and dedication," Reese said. Chief Balow called the outcome "not by chance," and noted the equipment had been placed in service the same day it aided the rescue.
Jason Fenton, a local ZOLL representative who flew colleagues in to attend the council meeting, congratulated the crew and presented awards recognizing the incident as the first successful resuscitation using that ZOLL monitor in the company's records: "It takes great people and great recognition to make this happen," he said.
City leaders invited the crew forward for recognition and presented commemorative plaques. Assistant acknowledgments named personnel present or credited in the account: Lieutenant Chris Frawley, firefighter-paramedic Brad Borkoski, Officer Emily Bridal, medics Danny Golich and Mitch Kimball, and telecommunicator Mikaela Becker (represented at the meeting by Andrea Lindauer).
The council's recognition emphasizes the city's recent equipment investment and the combined work of dispatchers, police and fire personnel. The presentation concluded with awards and public thanks; no council action was required beyond the ceremonial recognition.
