South Barrington man thanks firefighters who saved his life

A South Barrington man who went into cardiac arrest at his home on Christmas Eve took the opportunity last week to personally thank the Barrington Countryside Fire Protection District firefighters who saved his life.

During a meeting of the Barrington Countryside board of trustees April 18, Gary Stromberg and his wife, Laura, expressed their gratitude to the six firefighters who stabilized his condition and transported him to the hospital.

Stromberg said he could not recall what happened that night, but knows "my outcome would have been much different" had it not been for firefighters' training, rapid response and advanced lifesaving equipment.

"I'm extremely grateful for the gentlemen who treated me that night, and all the crews who serve with this department," Stromberg said. "What is most impressive to me is the fact that the system works, and it works quickly."

The crew that saved Stromberg included Battalion Chief Jim Goodwin; Lts. Brett Haller and Kyle Racina; and firefighter/paramedics Mike DeLillo, Nick delPrado and Justin Kenyon.