Urbana Fire Department honors 6 first responders for life-saving efforts

URBANA, Ill. (WCIA) — Six first responders received an EMS award from the Urbana Fire Department for their response to a male in cardiac arrest in April.
These first responders with the following agencies received this award from the Urbana Fire Department:
Engine 252: Lt. Josh Ingold, Austin Upton, Firefighter Nick Walker
Medic 225: Medic Calvin Larrison, Medic Chris Brown
Champaign County Sheriff's Office: Derek Rasmussen
University of Illinois names computer scientist, Wisconsin provost as new Chancellor
On April 1 at approximately 10:30 p.m., Engine 252 and Medic 225 were dispatched to a medical emergency involving a male in cardiac arrest. Upon arrival, the Champaign County Sheriff's Office (CCSO) was already performing CPR.
Engine 252 personnel quickly deployed the cardiac monitor, which revealed the patient was in ventricular fibrillation (V-fib). One shock was delivered, and CPR resumed as the LUCAS device was applied for continuous compressions. An IV was also established.
Medic 225 then arrived on scene, and both crews worked together to deliver advanced cardiac life support. After aggressive resuscitative efforts, return of 'spontaneous circulation (ROSC)' was achieved on scene.
'His memory will live in every round that we fight': Champaign boxing gym remembers teen killed in car vs. train accident
The patient was then transported to Carle Foundation Hospital for further care.
'Thanks to the fast actions and teamwork of CCSO, Engine 252, Medic 225, this patient was given the best possible chance at survival,' the City of Urbana Fire Department said in a Facebook post.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Learn with AIFact CheckingText to SpeechAI Summary

Related Articles

Hamilton Spectator

6 days ago

• Hamilton Spectator

Cold Lake's ‘Evening at the Museum' Gala raises $325K for healthcare

'The Hearts for Healthcare Gala returned to the Cold Lake Energy Centre . . . with a vibrant and immersive event that celebrated the community's talent, generosity, and commitment to healthcare,' said Ashley Brown, Marketing and Communications Lead for Hearts for Healthcare. The Evening at the Museum-themed gala turned the venue into a vibrant gallery, showcasing local art, live music, and heartfelt performances that united the community for a meaningful cause. By the end of the night, $325,000 had been raised, surpassing expectations and making an impact on local healthcare. This year's Community Appeal focused on acquiring a Lucas CPR device and an ECG machine for the Cold Lake Healthcare Centre's Emergency Department. 'The fundraising goal was set at $45,000, and thanks to the generosity of individuals, businesses, and sponsors, that number was far surpassed,' said Brown. A returning favourite, the 'First-to-Eat' auction, allowed top bidders to dine early alongside healthcare guests. 'One of the most memorable features of the evening was the Art Heist Raffle and live-action performance . . . which captivated guests and added a creative twist to the program,' Brown said. The gala also honoured local champions of healthcare. Dr. Zaid Al-Ani was awarded the Healthcare Excellence Award, while nurse practitioner Elaine Wall received the Nursing Excellence Award. Alexis Corbin and Liz MacPhee-Kotowicz were recognized for 10 years of volunteer service, and Rob Brassard was celebrated for 20 years of service on the board. 'Our community showed up in such a powerful way,' said Kari Leiper, executive director of Hearts for Healthcare. 'The generosity in that room wasn't just about reaching a fundraising goal, it was about making real change for the people in this region. These funds will provide lifesaving equipment, and that's something every single person in the room can feel proud of.' 'The atmosphere in the room was incredible,' said board member Christina Kean. 'This gala brought together the best of our community, art, generosity, music, and a shared commitment to making healthcare stronger for everyone. It was inspiring to be part of it.' The venue's artistic transformation was a collaboration with Cold Lake Museums and local artists. 'From intricate paintings to thoughtful installations, the event celebrated both the artistic spirit and the heart of Cold Lake,' said Brown. Guests moved by the artwork were encouraged to contact Hearts for Healthcare to connect with the artists directly. 'Planning for next year's gala is already underway,' Brown noted. 'Hearts for Healthcare invites the community to mark their calendars for next year's event, taking place on May 2, 2026.' Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .

Miami Herald

7 days ago

• Miami Herald

Paid family leave is a win-win for Florida

Recently, I met a young man I'll call 'Lucas,' who had received a full scholarship to play football at the University of Miami — but he was disqualified because his GPA was too low. Why? Because he couldn't read. What was once a bright future for Lucas and his family is now uncertain. And while his story is tragic, it's not unique. Earlier this year, the Education Recovery Scorecard ranked Florida 45th in the nation for reading scores — putting our students three-quarters of a grade level behind. I've dedicated my career to helping kids like Lucas improve their lives by developing reading skills. But I can only do that by ensuring my team of teachers, mentors, and para-educators — many of them single mothers — can balance their work and personal lives without risking a paycheck. Since I founded the H.U.G. Reading Program 10 years ago to help kids in Florida and beyond learn to read, we've hired thousands of employees who welcomed new babies, said goodbye to aging parents, or faced personal and family emergencies. From day one, we offered paid family and medical leave — not just because it's the right thing to do, but because it's good business. If you want productive employees, you need happy, healthy, loyal people who are committed to and engaged with their work. That means giving them time to care for themselves and their families, so they can return refreshed and ready to teach. At H.U.G., paid leave policies led to fewer absences, lower turnover, and reduced health care costs. One study found that replacing an employee can cost up to 150% of their annual wages. Another financial analysis of more than 10,000 businesses found that those offering paid leave saw 4.6% higher revenue and 6.8% greater profit per full-time employee. In fact, for every dollar invested in supporting employees, manufacturing and tech companies saw respective returns of $2.57 and $2.64. In the U.S., the Family and Medical Leave Acts (FMLA) provides protections for employees during times of personal and family health crises. The 1993 federal law allows eligible employees to take unpaid, job-protected leave for family or medical reasons, ensuring that their job and health insurance benefits are not affected. Florida businesses are generally required to follow FMLA rules, if they have at least 50 employees. Yet not all businesses in Florida offer paid leave — because they don't have to. That's a problem. Raising children in our state costs families up to $17,500 per child, per year, pushing many parents into the workforce. Without paid leave, many mothers must choose between work and family. But if Florida women participated in the workforce at the same rate as women in states that offer paid family leave, there would be 348,000 more workers and $12.8 billion in additional wages earned in our state each year. Family-friendly policies also give parents the time to engage with their children's education — fostering academic success that builds a stronger, more competitive workforce and economy for Florida's future. Paid family and sick leave is a smart investment — not just in business, but in our next generation. By ensuring Floridians don't have to choose between their jobs and their families, our state can thrive — academically, economically, and nationally. Across Florida are millions of kids just like Lucas, who — with the right support — can achieve their dreams. I urge state policymakers to expand paid family leave for all Floridians — before it's too late. Janine Broussard is the founder of the H.U.G. Reading Program and lives in Palm Beach.

Newsweek

13-06-2025

• Newsweek

Man Warns Girlfriend about Getting 'Attached' To Foster puppy—It Backfires

Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. A man who warned his girlfriend to not get too "attached" to their foster puppy was made to eat his words after what happened next. Michelle Hoffman and her boyfriend Lucas, from Cologne in Germany, had not planned on becoming foster carers to Rosa the French Bulldog puppy. "Lucas had a French Bulldog before, and because this breed often suffers from serious health issues, we had actually decided not to take in another one," Hoffman said. But that all changed the day they met Rosa. "We immediately felt for her," Hoffman said. "It was clear she hadn't received the care and attention she needed. She was also struggling to breathe, which really moved us." Rosa the puppy playing with Lucas her foster carer. Rosa the puppy playing with Lucas her foster carer. TikTok/ The couple already shared one dog, Abbey, another French Bulldog that Lucas had found as a puppy living in ill health with a breeder. "He couldn't bear to watch her getting painful antibiotic injections again and again. So despite everything, he bought her," Hoffman said. "He knew that if he didn't, she might not survive." The first few years of Abbey's life was fraught with health issues. Hoffman said Lucas spent around $23,000 on veterinary care and surgery to ensure she had the "best possible life." "She's now eight years old and healthy," Hoffman said. "That's also why we wanted to help Rosa. When we saw her, we just knew – she deserves a chance too. A safe home, proper care, and love – everything every dog should have." The couple agreed to foster Rosa with a view to finding her a loving new home to call her own. In the meantime, they set about making her feel as comfortable as possible in their home. "We even removed the door from our pantry to create a cozy little space just for Rosa – a quiet retreat where she can feel safe and comfortable," Hoffman said. A little TLC can go a long way with a shelter dog. In 2018 a study published in the journal Applied Animal Behavior Science found just 15 minutes of one-on-one petting was enough to provide a measurable boost to the wellbeing of a shelter dog. Rosa was finally starting to get the care and attention every dog deserves. It was something joyous and not just for her either. Lucas had told Hoffman on several occasions not to get too "attached." Hoffman soon realized she wasn't the one who needed telling though. Read more Dad slips up while talking to son, and doorbell cam captured every word Dad slips up while talking to son, and doorbell cam captured every word "I started to notice that Lucas was the one getting truly attached when he brought her into our bed for the first time," she said. "From that day on, she was with us everywhere – at restaurants, on walks, on day trips. She had clearly become part of our little family." If any further confirmation was needed, it came on the day Hoffman caught sight of Lucas and Rosa playing in their backyard. She couldn't help but laugh. "Lucas had just said we shouldn't get too attached – and then there he was, walking her so gently and lovingly," Hoffman said. "It was such a beautiful contradiction that showed how quickly animals can steal our hearts, even when we try to keep some distance." Eager to capture this perfect snapshot of how easy it is for a foster dog to become a foster fail, Hoffman took out her phone and hit record. The resulting footage was posted to her TikTok @ where it's been watched nearly 75,000 times since being shared last week. There are no prizes for guessing what happened next. "We ended up adopting her," Hoffman said. "She's staying with us for good." While Rosa's is a happy ending, Hoffman knows there are other dogs out there in need of help. She hopes her story inspires others to follow their example. "We hope people feel the love and warmth that can come from caring for an animal," she said. "Sometimes it's those quiet little moments that reveal just how deep the bond becomes."