Fresno, CA (March 20, 2007) – Today at 8:30 a.m. Fresno Fire Chief Randy Bruegman will be recognizing the heroic efforts of two local life savers, in front of the City Council. Two women who happened upon an unconscious man in north Fresno and then performed CPR on him are being credited with saving the man’s life. The man was wearing a jogging outfit, and was found on the sidewalk by a motorist who started honking his horn to attract others to help.

Betty Andronicous was driving by the intersection when she saw a group of people standing around a man on the ground. “I thought the man had been hit by a car and I saw someone on the ground next to him trying to do CPR, but not correctly” said Betty. Betty parked her car and ran to the group – she identified herself as a Register Nurse and offered to take over the CPR procedures. At that time Margaret Anderson, a trained veterinarian, stepped forward and worked with Betty to performing the breathing as Betty continued the compressions.

When Fresno Fire Engine Company #13 arrived on scene the man was still not conscious or breathing on his own. The emergency crew continued performing CPR and used a defibrillator several times before a pulse was detected in the man.

Fresno Firefighters give Betty and Margaret credit saving the man’s life through their efforts to continuing CPR procedures which kept oxygen in the man’s brain. The man was transported to St. Agnes and is recovering.

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