Family: Off-Duty Medford Firefighter 'Saved My Father's Life'

MEDFORD, MA — A Medford firefighter's quick thinking while off-duty is being credited with saving a man's life.

David Piscatelli was having lunch with an off-duty Cambridge firefighter at the Horseshoe Grill in North Reading when another customer suffered a medical emergency. While the dispatcher gave CPR instructions to the caller over the phone, both men rendered aid until first responders arrived.

Medford Fire Chief Frank Giliberti Jr. commended Piscatelli for his actions on July 7.

"I spoke to the son and daughter of the victim, who expressed their profound thanks for these actions, which they stated, 'saved my father's life,'" Giliberti said.

Giliberti said North Reading Fire Chief Donald Stats Jr. told him Piscatelli's actions were "invaluable" to the man's survival.

"I commend and congratulate Firefighter Piscatelli for his life-saving actions, proving that he is a true professional, on and off the job," Giliberti said.