5-4-17 fdl residents recognized for life-saving actions

(L-R-  Vicky Raddatz, Gary Gerner, Jennie Mildebrandt)
Three Fond du Lac residents have been honored with the Citizen Life Safety Award for helping save the life of a man who collapsed at the YMCA.  Fond du Lac Fire and Rescue Assistant Chief of EMS Todd Janquardt presented the award Thursday to Vicky Raddatz, Jacqui Kaufman and Jennie Mildebrandt. Janquardt says the three women helped save the life of Gary Gerner after he collapsed last year while exercising on an elliptical machine.  Raddatz and Kaufman administered CPR and Mildebrant, a Y employee, used an automatic external diefibrillator.  Raddatz says her CPR training just kicked in.  “I shouted for somebody to call 911 as you’re trained and we just kept doing CPR,”  Raddatz said.  Gerner says he doesn’t remember much about the incident but says he is very thankful for those who rushed to his aid.  Gerner says doctors have told him regular exercise also played a role in his survival.  Paramedics arrived and transported Gerner to the hospital where he was treated and stabilized.