Parents thank first responders for saving baby

CHICAGO Aaron Gibson and his partner Jacqueline Guzman arrived at the firehouse in the 5900-block of South Ashland carrying their infant daughter, Ariella. Friday's visit was to say thank you to the men and women of Engine 116 and Ambulance 49 for saving the life of the precious infant.

Ariella's father says when the baby was only 21 days old, he received a call from Guzman to say their daughter was at home and had stopped breathing.

"I was at work at U.S. Cellular. I got a phone call that my daughter was non-responsive wasn't breathing and everything," said Gibson, baby Ariella's father.

"On May 29, at approximately 12:32 p.m., Engine Company 116 and Ambulance 49 responded to an unresponsive infant," said Deputy District Chief Curtis Powell, Chicago Fire Department.

Everyone worked together to administer treatment and transport the child to Comer Children's Hospital.

"When we arrived, mom was on the sidewalk waiting for our arrival," said Mike Ligue, firefighter.

"We initiated CPR and the baby started crying right away. God was with us that day," said Chris Sarnowsky, paramedic.

"Everything went real seamless. Everybody just took a role it requires to get this kind of thing done, and it was very peaceful and everybody worked well together," said Diane Heller, paramedic.

Sarnowsky, a new mother herself, says everyone needs to know how to perform CPR.

"It definitely helps for choking and for reasons for that when the baby's not breathing," said Sarnowsky.

"Everything is great - MRIs, CAT scans - everything came out clear," said Aaron Gibson.

It appears everyone at the firehouse turned out to welcome the family and baby. Firefighters and paramedics presented the mom with flowers.

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