Kevin O'Connor is no stranger to a fire station. For more than 30 years, he was a firefighter with the Chicago Fire Department.
After retiring, he moved to Niles, living a quiet life, until one morning last September.
"I woke up; I could hardly breathe," O'Connor said.
The 79-year-old reached out to a neighbor, who called 911.
Then, O'Connor says, he doesn't remember anything else. He lost consciousness.
Soon after, five firefighters and paramedics from Niles arrived and jumped into action, realizing O'Connor was in cardiac arrest.
Darrion Roszkowiak says they initially didn't know they were treating a fellow firefighter.
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"Once we walked into the house, he had a CFD necklace on. And that was the only reason we knew he was a retired Chicago guy," Roszkowiak said.
The team worked fast to get O'Connor to the hospital.
"As soon as we got him into the ambulance, we started working. And we were able to bring him back," Roszkowiak said.
"I found out today I stopped breathing, and they did CPR. They did their job, thank God for them," O'Connor said.
And O'Connor had the chance to thank them in-person. The firefighters and paramedics were honored at a ceremony at their firehouse.
It was a special recognition for doing what they do every day.
"Working calmly, decisively and one coordinated team, these firefighter-paramedics applied their training, the skill and experience under intense pressure," Niles Fire Chief Patrick Maloney said.
O'Connor is thankful to live another day and express his appreciation to his fellow firefighters.
"The reason I'm standing here is because of them. And I'm forever grateful," O'Connor said.