'Hero Twice Over': Aurora Staffer To Be Honored For Life-Saving Effort

AURORA, IL — A community engagement specialist with the City of Aurora will be honored for the second time this year for his lifesaving heroic efforts, officials said Monday.

On April 25, Brian Moreno went into fast-action mode when a 63-year-old resident collapsed and lost consciousness shortly before the start of an evening neighborhood group meeting, according to a news release. After seeing foam come out of his mouth and feeling no pulse, Moreno put his training to use to perform CPR, pumping the man's chest repeatedly for more than two minutes.

"I didn't have time to be scared," Moreno said in a statement. "I just knew I had to help save him and went into action."

The resident's heart began to beat again as the ambulance arrived, and he regained consciousness, officials said. He was transported to the hospital for treatment.

"It was like a scene from a movie and Brian stepped in with a calm, professional demeanor to save a life," said Aurora Ward 1 Alderman Emmanuel Llamas, who called 911 as Moreno performed CPR.

Moreno, 27, will be honored during Tuesday night's City Council meeting starting at 5 p.m. Mayor Richard Irvin, who awarded Moreno with an MVP Award in January, called him "a hero twice over."

In late January, Moreno's same quick-thinking action came into play when he saved dozens of overnight guests at the city's warming center from an 18-year-old man who entered the space wielding a gun, Patch reported.

Moreno saw the gunman strike a guest with the gun before pointing it at others. The city staffer quickly called 911 while ushering people outside to safety, officials said.

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