Detroit firefighters and medics honored for saving man, AMBER Alert efforts

DETROIT (WJBK) - Detroit firefighters and medics were honored Tuesday for extraordinary service in emergencies like this month's AMBER Alert situation and saving a 70-year-old man's life.

During the ceremony, 15 firefighters were honored for their hard work during an AMBER alert situation on August 1 when 2-year-old Sondra Renee was kidnapped on Detroit's west side.

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As law enforcement pursued the suspect with Sondra in his vehicles, Detroit firefighters of Engine 30 saw the police chase coming back from Ohio and ending near 7 Mile and Meyers.

"I went in and grabbed her and brought her into the rig. Tried to talk to her - she was hysterical because of course because her parents weren't around," said Firefighter Robert Massy.

The firefighters were able to calm her down and make sure that she was safe and not hurt.

"She was surrounded by a bunch of adults. I know myself, as an adult, I don't want to be surrounded by bunch of adults. I could just imagine as a kid," Firefighter Nick Patterson said.

Then on July 21, an overheated apartment may have caused a 70 year-old man to suffer a heart attack. It happened at 8 Mile and Dequindre at the Morton Manor senior apartment complex.

DFD's Keenan Gibbons II issued continuous CPR for over 15 minutes, saving his life.

"The feeling of bringing the guy back was unexplainable. I can't really put it into words," he said.

Six firefighters and medics were honored for saving the life of the 70- year-old.