Boca Raton: While having dinner with family members at Ruby Tuesday’s restaurant in Mizner Park, thirteen year old Mathew Silver noticed that his younger brother Andrew was choking. Andrew had swallowed a piece
of steak that lodged in his throat causing a complete airway obstruction. Recognizing that his brother
Fire Chief Tom Wood
could not breathe, Mathew sprang into action and performed the Heimlich Maneuver, a life saving technique he learned while taking a baby sitting course through the Red Cross. Thanks to Mathew recognizing the problem, and his quick reaction he is credited with saving his brothers life. Fire Chief Tom Wood presented Mathew Silver with the Boca Raton Fire Rescue Services “Citizens Courage Award”. Chief Wood and his staff were joined by the Silver family on Thursday, January 28th at 2pm at 6500 Congress Avenue, in the auditorium.
Chief Wood also presented an award to Division Chief of Training Patrick Kelly. Chief Kelly was chosen the Fire Service Instructor of the Year by the Florida Fire Chiefs Association. He was honored in Daytona Beach at the Fire Rescue East Fire Service Conference last week. Chief Wood also presented Firefighter / Paramedic David Eddinger his badge for being promoted to Rescue Lieutenant. Lieutenant Eddinger is the son of retired Boca Raton Fire Rescue Services Assistant Fire Chief John Eddinger.