Video: West Seattle man honored tonight for Bellevue heroism

(Tonight’s photos/video by WSB’s Patrick Sand)
West Seattle residents Gary Elbaum (above left) and Todd Metter were part of a celebration tonight in Bellevue – in honor of a life they both helped save there back in October. It happened here:

(October 2011 photo courtesy Bellevue FD)
Elbaum, who works for T-Mobile on the Eastside, was one of three bystanders who sprung to action after 59-year-old Gary Farer suffered cardiac arrest while driving that day. He and one of the others, Dominic Dimino – a fellow T-Mobile worker he’d never met – explained tonight how it unfolded (Elbaum is on the left):

They and the third bystander-turned-rescuer, David Howe, who helped them get Farer out of his locked car, received the Citizens’ Award of Merit from Bellevue Fire Chief Michael Eisner tonight in a ceremony at Bellevue Fire Station 2.

Farer, the rescued man, was there too (on the left). Todd Metter’s role? He is a Bellevue paramedic and that day was a vital part of what they call the “Chain of Survival.” Farer received 45 minutes of continuous CPR, and yet, BFD says, “survived with no long-lasting neurologic deficits.”

16 Replies to "Video: West Seattle man honored tonight for Bellevue heroism"

  • Traci December 23, 2011 (1:03 am)

    Incredible people. Thank you all!

  • RS December 23, 2011 (2:35 am)

    Awesome, going to brush up on my CPR training for sure!

  • Alki Resident December 23, 2011 (7:41 am)

    What a great story to wake up to,you all should be so proud and the guy you saved looks great and happy.Glad you were recognized.

  • Kate K December 23, 2011 (8:15 am)

    Heroes one and all. You saved that man’s life.

  • Liz December 23, 2011 (8:46 am)

    What a great story for this time of year! Each one of these guys took action and made the difference!

  • Brandon December 23, 2011 (9:19 am)

    I work at T-Mobile as well, and Gary and Dominic are truly heroes!! Good job guys, as they say at T-Mobile “I am T-Mobile count on me”.

  • WSMom December 23, 2011 (9:51 am)

    Inspiring!!

  • EMS December 23, 2011 (10:33 am)

    Dominic Dimino, a combat medic who served in Afghanistan, took charge of the scene. He was aggressive and unrelenting in his focus to save this man’s life. He is to be commended, along with Mr. Howe and Mr. Farer. Thank you for making King County the best place in the world to survive a cardiac arrest!

  • Tim December 23, 2011 (10:39 am)

    Gary, I always new you were a lifesaver when we worked together all those years ago! Great job!

  • SJoy December 23, 2011 (11:27 am)

    Amazing!!!

  • visitor December 23, 2011 (11:53 am)

    wow! good job, and thanks for caring!

  • nichole December 23, 2011 (12:05 pm)

    Wow!! 45 mins of giving cpr is an outstanding achievement alone but to do that long so and the patient has no brain damage shows amazing skill and determination.

  • anonymous2 December 23, 2011 (12:20 pm)

    I worked with Gary years ago. He does have a heart of gold.

  • pancakes December 23, 2011 (1:15 pm)

    Gary Elbaum, getting credit for the amazing man that he is- I loved this story. Grace under pressure, way to go Gary.

  • Chuck D December 23, 2011 (5:39 pm)

    Heroes

  • marie January 8, 2012 (4:25 pm)

    We should all be thankful to those who are willing to jump in to provide help and aide to those in need. A special shout out as well to our awesome fire and police personnel in this city.

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