Pittsburgh Logo
File #: 2021-2228    Version: 1
Type: Proclamation Status: Adopted
File created: 11/19/2021 In control: City Council
On agenda: 12/7/2021 Final action: 12/7/2021
Enactment date: 12/7/2021 Enactment #: 822
Effective date:    
Title: WHEREAS, since the COVID-19 Pandemic began in March of 2020, many city and county employees who normally work in the City County Building set up protocols to work from home; and,
Sponsors: Theresa Kail-Smith, All Members
Indexes: PROCLAMATION - MR. KRAUS
title
WHEREAS, since the COVID-19 Pandemic began in March of 2020, many city and county employees who normally work in the City County Building set up protocols to work from home; and,

body
WHEREAS, on Friday, May 28, 2021, in addition to the protocols, additional employees who normally would enter the building were off due to the Memorial Day weekend. Suddenly, an employee on the 9th floor of the building, Mr. Matthew Meisenhelter, began experiencing chest pains. His coworkers immediately called 9-1-1; and,

WHEREAS, prior to First Responders arriving, Mr. Meisenhelter collapsed and went into cardiac arrest. In the building at the time were Public Safety Director Wendell Hissrich and City Council Sergeant of Arms Officer John Svitek, who were among the first to assist Mr. Meisenhelter. Officer Svitek performed CPR until medics and firefighters arrived; and,

WHEREAS, some quick-thinking bystanders utilized one of the many automated external defibrillators located in the building and when First Responders arrived, they also used an automated external defibrillator on Mr. Meisenhelter, and paramedics had to shock him again once they arrived; and,

WHEREAS, Matthew survived his cardiac arrest, made some healthy life changes, and returned to work at the City-County Building in August of 2021; and,

WHEREAS, the following, in alphabetical order, were responsible in some way for saving Mr. Meisenhelter that day: Erin Bruni, Christopher Dobbins, Wendell Hissrich, Michael Homza, Duane Lewis, Stacey McCollum, Richard Miles, Jason Musial, Herman Robinson, Suzanne Schwebel, John Svitek, Brandon Tuschak, and Andrew Williams; and,

NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Council of the City of Pittsburgh does hereby recognize and commend all those involved with saving the life of Mr. Matthew Meisenhelter that day and honor all First Responders for the life-saving work they do on a daily basis; and,

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Council of the City of Pittsburgh do...

Click here for full text