Man thanks Niles firefighters for saving his life after heart attack

NILES, Ill. - A Glenview man whose life was saved personally thanked the Niles firefighters in a heartwarming reunion on Thursday.

Christopher Szafraniec had a heart attack two weeks ago while he was at work. His co-workers acted quickly, and his boss called 9-1-1.

Firefighters were there in minutes.

"I remember them coming into the warehouse and getting me, and getting into the ambulance. After that, I don't remember much," Szafraniec said.

At the scene, firefighters shocked Szafraniec to get his pulse back and then got him into the ambulance. But that wasn't the end of it.

"En route to the hospital, a second time he went into cardiac arrest. We shocked him a second time, and like I said, got his pulse back, and he was awake and talking to us as we were wheeling him into the hospital. So great team effort by all," said Mike Pope, Niles Fire Department paramedic.

Szafraniec was released from the hospital in excellent condition. He says with his second chance at life, he plans to spend time with his wife and kids and live healthier.

"Obviously, they did a great job. I'm here with my family. What can I say, they saved my life," Szafraniec said.