Rockville Centre Ex-Chief John Hennig saves a man's life

Ex-Chief John Hennig of the Rockville Centre Fire Department was out enjoying a relaxing day of golf while vacationing with his family in Cocoa Beach, Florida, in January 2023, when something unexpected happened.

While playing with his brother on the 18th hole, Hennig turned to look at the ninth green and spotted two men in a golf cart. It was at that moment that he noticed one of the men suddenly collapsed.

Hennig, 62, a former New York City police officer and an emergency medical technician with Floodlight Rescue Company No. 1, knew what to do and immediately sprung into action.

He raced to see what had happened. Hennig noticed that the man’s cousin was on a FaceTime call with 9-1-1 and informed him that he is a New York state-certified EMT. With time being a factor, Henning was able to quickly determine that the man had gone into cardiac arrest and did not have a pulse.

“He wasn’t looking good,” Henning said. “I used CPR and got him back in a couple of minutes, but then he went out again.”

After several minutes of giving chest compressions, Hennig was able to get a pulse. He recalls hearing the sound of the Cocoa Beach Fire Department approaching in the distance when suddenly the patient lost his pulse a second time. Henning remained at the scene and continued to apply CPR to the 62-year-old man until emergency services arrived at the scene.

Hennig shared all the vital information with the emergency responders, who responded to the scene. Paramedics delivered one shock to the patient using an automated electronic defibrillator, before affixing a Lund University Cardiopulmonary Assist System, or LUCAS device, as they loaded him into the ambulance and transported him to Cape Canaveral Hospital.

“I was in the right place at the right time,” Hennig said. “Fate was very fortunate.”

Scott Mohr, the first assistant chief of the Rockville Centre Fire Department at the time, reached out to EMS Chief James Schindler of the Cocoa Beach Fire Department in March 2023, following Hennig’s heroic rescue, who revealed how his selfless intervention helped save the man’s life. The victim was immediately hospitalized. He now has a pacemaker with a defibrillator implanted and is expected to lead a normal, active life.

“With John's quick actions and proper CPR technique and compressions, he definitely saved this man's life,” Schindler said.

In recognition of this selfless action, the immediate past Rockville Centre Fire Chief James Avondet wrote a letter to the Nassau County Fire Commission nominating Hennig for a Life Saving Award.

“Due to the perseverance and determination exhibited by Ex-Chief John Hennig,” Avondet said in his letter, “It is the opinion of the undersigned that former Fire Commission chairman and Ex-Chief John Hennig be recognized and awarded.”

Hennig was presented with the Emergency Medical Service Award during the Nassau County Firematic Awards Ceremony at the Tilles Center at LIU Post on April 24. Mohr, now chief of the Rockville Centre Fire Department, along with First Assistant Chief Tony Rugolo, Second Assistant Chief Pat Healey and Honorary Chiefs accompanied Hennig at the event.

Following the award presentation, Rockville Centre Mayor Francis X. Murray said that Hennig’s actions represent the level of dedication and commitment that makes first responders in the village so special.

“We are fortunate to have him selflessly give of his time to keep our village residents and visitors safe,” Murray said in a statement. “His quick thinking and lifesaving skills make him a worthy recipient of the Emergency Medical Service Award.”

The Nassau County Firematic Award Ceremony also recognized members of the East Meadow, Freeport, North Merrick, Oceanside and Roslyn Fire Departments.

“I am very proud to receive this award,” Hennig said. “It is quite an honor.”

Hennig is certified and trained to administer CPR from both the Rockville Centre Fire Department and the state of New York. He said that CPR is a useful skill to learn and highly recommends training for both firefighters and civilians who wish to be better prepared in the event they encounter a similar situation.

“This could happen when you least expect it,” he said. “Knowing what to do can make all the difference.”