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Alpena honors 3 for saving coworker’s life

By Steve Schulwitz 4 min read

ALPENA -- Quick thinking and immediate action by a trio of employees at Omni Metalcraft Corp. on Sept. 1 likely saved the life of a coworker who had a heart attack.

At Monday's Alpena Municipal Council meeting, Jason Banny, Peter Gilbertson, and Thomas Krist received Lifelong Lifesaving Citations from the city for the role they played in helping save their coworker, Keith Becker.

Becker said he had always been friends with his three coworkers, but, now, he feels closer to them because of their bravery and willingness to help him.

"To me, they are the greatest people in the world," Becker said Monday. "When I was going through recovery, the doctors made it sound like I was a walking, talking miracle, but I'm not. I'm just the product of these three gentlemen who are the real walking, talking miracles, because they stepped up and did what needed to be done."

Alpena Fire Chief Rob Edmonds told the story about how, while at work, an employee at Omni noticed Becker slumped over his desk and, immediately, the three men leaped into action by calling 911 and initiating CPR until paramedics arrived.

Gilbertson said he had never had to use his CPR training in real life and he is glad that Becker pulled through. He said that, when he sees his friend now, there is a special bond between them that few others have.

"We've been friends for years and, after seeing what he went through and seeing he's still here, is great," he said. "Everyone played a role, but we were all sort of freaking out, but the lady on the phone kept us going. She was amazing and cool as a cucumber."

Edmonds said it only took two minutes for the ambulance to arrive and advanced life support interventions were initiated with defibrillation required because of Becker's initial rhythm of ventricular fibrillation. The first responders continued CPR until the heart returned to a more normal rhythm and Becker regained a pulse.

Edmonds said other advanced procedures were initiated on scene in preparation for transport to the emergency department at MyMichigan Medical Center Alpena, where Becker went into cardiac arrest at least two more times in the emergency department. Becker was transferred to McLaren Northern Michigan Hospital in Petoskey, where he underwent a triple heart bypass surgery.

Edmonds said the initial response by Banny, Gilbertson, and Krist helped ensure a positive outcome for Becker.

"Without the quick actions of the three citizen rescuers, Keith Becker may not be here with us today," he said. "It is my belief that, without the quick actions by Jason, Peter, and Thomas, Mr. Becker's outcome would not have been as favorable."

Three employees at the Alpena Fire Department -- Doug Keogh, Abby Smith, and Chris Kinsey -- also received citations from their chief.

Edmonds said the dispatchers from Alpena County 911 will also be acknowledged at an upcoming county meeting.

Before Monday's council meeting began, Becker met his three rescuers from the Alpena Fire Department, as well as many others from the department's staff. He told the council later that he always admired firefighters and paramedics, but, now, "the admiration I have for them is beyond words.

"If it wasn't for them, I wouldn't be here before you right now," he said.

Edmonds said Becker's health emergency and the role his coworkers played in saving his life is an example of how residents can help one another and shows how the intense schooling and training emergency medical services employees endure make a difference.

"Pre-hospital response and care is making a difference in saving lives and minimizing long term effects of injuries and illness within Alpena County," Edmonds wrote to the council. "Through education efforts of proper lay rescuer training, basic EMS skills, advanced life support treatments on scene, and MyMichigan Medical Center advancing their abilities to provide more definitive care locally we can expect more of these successful outcomes in the future."

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