Village Honors First Responders With Life Saving Awards

MOKENA, IL — Members of the Mokena Fire Protection District, Mokena Police Department and Laraway Communications Center were honored at Monday's Mokena Village Board of Trustees meeting for their actions that helped save the life of Mokena Mayor Frank Fleischer in February.

Fleischer's wife, Laurie, found her husband unresponsive and not breathing in their Mokena home the morning of Feb. 11. Laurie immediately called 911 for help, and dispatcher Cindy Wilson walked Laurie through the life-saving CPR steps needed before first responders could arrive.

Mokena police officer Caitlin Wynn was the first to arrive at the home and immediately took over giving CPR to Fleischer. Members of the Mokena Fire Protection District quickly followed behind Wynn and provided additional advanced support before Fleischer could be taken to Silver Cross Hospital in New Lenox.

"And as you can confirm for us here today, Mayor, the patient made a full recovery," said Mokena Police Interim Chief Brian Benton. "It is difficult to imagine the potential outcome of this call had it not been for the quick thinking and immediate call to 911 coupled with the response of very well trained public safety staff. They came together that day as a team."

The following people were given the life saving awards:

Mokena Fire Protection District

• Chief Joe Cirelli
• Assistant Chief Rick Campbell
• Lt. Rich Gotter
• Engineer Tim Wiencek
• Firefighter David Porter
• Lt. John Swanson
• Engineer Scott Bukowski
• Firefighter Jacob Ruhbeck
• Lt. Jim Cresto
• Engineer Ken Berger
• Firefighter Adam Meyer

Mokena Police Department

• Police officer Caitlin Wynn

Laraway Communications Center

• Telecommunicator Cindy Wilson

Laurie Fleischer publicly thanked those who helped save her husband's life.

"You were there for us, and I know my entire family will never be able to thank you enough," she said. "I want to thank each and every one of you who prayed for my husband, sent cards or helped in some way."

New Details Brought To Light

Monday's awards presentation marked the first time the Village publicly acknowledged the severity of Fleischer's condition. Prior to that, the Village had only issued three updates between February and March.

The initial response from the Village on Feb. 11 claimed Fleischer "fell at his residence and was taken to the hospital for testing." The Village issued a second statement Feb. 17 that provided no new information.

The Village issued a third statement March 3 that Fleischer had underwent a "previously planned procedure" at University of Chicago Medical Center.

Benton appeared to contradict the Village's prior official statements when he said Monday that paramedics on the scene "confirmed [Fleischer] was in cardiac arrest, and they began administering advanced life support."

Laurie Fleischer in her remarks also alluded to the severity of her husband's condition when she said medical professionals told her that "only 1 percent of people survive in the way my husband did."

The Village has since removed all of the official updates from its news archive on its website.

After a nearly four-month absence, Fleischer made his return to his duties as Village President at the June 13 board meeting. Trustee George Metanias had been filling in as mayor pro tempore during Fleischer's extended absence.

Neither Metanias nor any other member of the Board of Trustees ever publicly commented on Fleischer's condition, nor did they give any indication when he might return, nor even take time to wish him well during his recovery, even though Metanias, other board members and Village staff, including Village Administrator John Tomasoski, apparently were in contact with Fleischer on a range of issues during that time.

During the Mayor's Comments portion of the June 13 meeting, Fleischer said he would elaborate at Monday's meeting about "some things that kind of upset me a little bit" regarding speculation about his absence.

"I don't want to talk about them tonight. But, believe me, in two weeks I will be talking about them," he said at the time.

In reality, Fleischer had little to say during his Mayor's Comments at Monday's meeting.

"The fact of the matter is that it's not about me tonight," he said. "I'm here because of [the first responders]. It's about them. This had nothing to do with me. They've saved other people. They're amazing."

Fleischer went on to thank the staff at Silver Cross Hospital and they way it trains its medical personnel and the "team effort" that went into saving his life.

"We are very, very lucky to have first responders like that, and I thank God for that. But, again, please: It's not about me. It's about the people who took care of me."