In a gesture of thanks for saving the lives of three patients, EMTs from the Orem First Department were honored at Wednesday’s city council meeting.

“Saving lives is the ultimate gift,” said Mayor Dave Young. “We appreciate our firemen.”

Kris Shields, liaison nurse with HCA Health, presented the awards along with Jeff Hill, chief operating officer of Timpanogos Regional Medical Center.

“We celebrate life, because of their efforts in saving life,” Shields said. “The (Fire) department is dedicated to what they do.”

All three patients met their first responders for the first time on Wednesday.

Joshua Hanson, from Iowa, Jann Theurer and Jenny Nelson, both of Orem, are alive today because of the help and timing of the EMTs.

Hanson has Down Syndrome and a history of heart attack and stents. On Aug.14, he began having chest pains and went into cardiac arrest. He was visiting family in Orem, but forgot his heart medicine.

“CPR was started immediately, 911 was called, medics arrived and continued CPR. He was taken to Timpanogos Regional Hospital for care. He is alive, and was attending Wednesday from Iowa to thank those who saved him. He is alive because of immediate CPR, calling 911 and medics who shocked and brought him back to life,” Shields said.

Hanson’s first responders were Clayton Culhane, Andrew Butler, Schylar Jones, Trevor McGinty, Greg Hicken, Steve Pearson and Cpt. Ben Williams.

On Aug. 13, Theurer, a 57-year-old Orem resident, was having difficulty breathing and passed out. Medics arrived at her home after 911 was called and first responders kept her breathing.

“Initially, she started to feel a little better, but medics convinced Jann to let them take her to Timpanogos Regional Hospital… and good thing they did,” Shields said. “Jann once again passed out, became unresponsive and lost pulses. Jann’s oxygen saturation was very low. The whole team – EMS and the incredible healthcare workers in the Emergency Department at Timpanogos Regional Hospital – went to work. Jann regained a pulse, she was intubated and sent to CT where imaging showed large bilateral pulmonary embolisms (she had very large clots in both lungs).”

Theurer’s first responders were; Deputy Chief Jason Earl, Casy Metcalf, Seth Swenson, Bryant Boehner and Tim Hope.

“Many specialty physicians were involved in her care. She is alive today because EMS convinced her to go to the hospital, and the ER staff all got involved to perform life-saving measures,” Shields said.

Nelson, a 50-year-old Orem resident, was driving near Center and State Street in Orem on Sept. 21 when a first responder -Earl – saw Jenny roll through an intersection and her car rolled up onto the curb. He stopped to check what was going on and found her unconscious with seizure-like activity in her locked car. He quickly used his “slim-jim” to open the door, checked for a pulse, which she did not have.

“An ambulance arrived on scene, CPR was started, and she was immediately taken to Timpanogos Regional Hospital for treatment,” Shields said. “Jenny is here today because of the quick work of first responders, the 911 system, Orem fire’s attentive response and action in helping get Jenny to the ER/ICU where physicians got her heart back to functioning, and placed a device that will help prevent lethal arrhythmias in the future.”

Nelson and her family were at the council meeting to say “thank you” in person, which is something they thought may not happen.

Nelson’s first responders were Braydon Partridge, Chad Brooks, Culhane, Hicken, Williams, Butler and Jones.

The plaques they received read, “In recognition of dedication and service exemplified through a courageous act in an effort to save a life.”

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