CHICAGO (FOX 32 News) -
Morris Mcauliff was rushed to the hospital after having a heart attack, but after not getting immediate help, had to resort to plan B in an amazing story that saved his life.
Mary Maloney's uncle, 69-year-old Morris Mcauliff, was on the verge of having a heart attack a week ago when Mary's brother, hurried to get him to the Rush Emergency Room.
With each passing moment of waiting, it was becoming clear that Morris wouldn't make it. So, it was time for plan B: the firehouse at 20th and Damen Avenue, Tower 5.
The car pulled in and some of Chicago's bravest got to work.
"He was in a respiratory arrest situation," explains one firefighter. "So the guys grabbed their gear. We went to work on him and we got him back."
On Wednesday, Mary came by Tower 5 to offer lunch to these lifesavers and a big thank you from the bottom her heart.
"He is my uncle. He has no children. My mom died when I was 3. So he took it upon himself to raise us," says Mary, who considers Morris to be a father figure in her life. "The reason he is alive today is because of everyone here. Every single one of these people in this room is a hero to me. They have done more for my family than I can ever express."
Not only is Morris lucky to be alive, he's lucky all of the firefighters weren't out on other emergency calls.
"Very important thing to learn is that when there is a medical emergency, call 9-1-1," says Assistant Deputy Fire Commissioner of Chicago, Mark Nielsen. "The firefighters do a great job and acknowledgement of that great job is always nice."
It's a great ending to this cautionary tale that no one understands more than Chicago's bravest niece, Mary, and of course, Uncle Morris himself.
While Morris is currently under doctor's orders to take it easy, he promises he will soon make it back to the firehouse that saved his life as he continues his road to recovery.
