On Oct. 11, the Forest Preserve District of Kane County commended Senior Ranger Anthony Brescia, who recently helped save the life of a forest preserve patron.

While on his lunch break at Big Rock Forest Preserve, Sept. 9, Brescia noticed a man attempting to change a tire but having difficulty. Brescia approached to help, and noticed the gentleman sweating profusely and having muscle spasms. He also seemed disoriented.

Brescia first offered water, thinking the man was possibly dehydrated. He then offered to call for medical assistance. The patron declined, said he hadn’t been feeling well that week. Brescia told him he thought he was possibly having a medical issue, and that he wasn’t comfortable allowing him to get back on the road.

Brescia called 911, and kept the gentleman calm and alert until medical services arrived. Once on scene, paramedics determined the man was having a cardiac event.

At the hospital, they found he had, in fact, had a heart attack. The 49-year old Auroran is now out of the hospital, and is expected to make a full recovery.

Brescia and his family attended the Oct. 11 Forest Preserve Commission meeting, during which Forest Preserve Director of Operations John Goreth detailed Brescia’s exceptional service, and commended him for attention to duty and superb observation skills that contributed to saving the life of a forest preserve patron.

“I sincerely want to congratulate Anthony for a job well done. Anthony, your initiative and attention to duty is what makes the Forest Preserve District what it is today,” Goreth said.

Executive Director Monica Meyers also offered her thanks and complimented Brescia for his efforts.

“The Forest Preserve District spends a lot of time training, but you never know how an individual will act when these types of situations do come up.” she said. “I have to tell you, I’ve known Anthony for years. He’s a long-tenured employee with the district. I know, and knew, that if something like this ever happened under Anthony’s watch, this is exactly how he would react,” she said.

Meyers then joked that if she could clone him as an employee, she would.

Brescia is an 11-year employee of the Forest Preserve District and works in the South Operations Division.

• Feature photo caption: Senior Ranger Anthony Brescia is flanked by Kane County Forest Preserve President Michael Kenyon (right), Brescia’s wife, Heather, and daughter, Katelyn, Forest Preserve Director of Operations John Goreth and Forest Preserve Executive Director Monica Meyers.

 SOURCE: Forest Preserve District of Kane County news release