Local lifesaver presented with certificate of recognition by Kingston Fire & Rescue

Langlois was heading to an appointment when he noticed the victim stumble and fall. Drawing on previous emergency training and 34 years in the military, his first instinct was to jump in and help.  

“He wasn’t breathing, his eyes were open, that’s when someone shouted, ‘Call 9-1-1!’” recalls Langlois. “I knew there wasn’t time for 9-1-1, he needed help now.” 

Langlois sprang into action and performed CPR, reviving the victim in time for first responders to arrive and transport him into the hospital. 

“By the time they got him into the hospital, that person was communicating with Fire [and Rescue],” explained Don Carter, Deputy Chief of Operations. 

In a full-circle moment, the doctor who ran outside and attended to the victim after Langlois was Dr. Steven Brooks, who leads the Neighbours Saving Neighbours initiative, a pilot program in partnership between Queen’s University, Frontenac Paramedics and the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada. The program aims to train local volunteers to perform CPR while waiting for paramedics to arrive in an effort to save more lives at a time when every second counts. 

In celebration of Langlois’ quick thinking and selfless response in an emergency, Deputy Chief Carter, along with Councillors Wendy Stephen and Paul Chaves, presented him with a certificate of recognition on behalf of the Mayor’s Office at Fire Station #4 on Brock Street on Friday, Aug. 16.  

“This is proudly presented to Gilles Langlois, in recognition of his heroic actions on Tuesday, June 11, 2024, where Gilles demonstrated exceptional bravery and quick thinking by performing CPR on an individual who had collapsed, likely due to a heart attack,” read Councillor Stephen from the certificate of recognition. “His efforts in maintaining CPR for six to seven minutes until the arrival of fire and paramedic services were instrumental in saving the person’s life. Thank you, Gilles, for your remarkable act of kindness and lifesaving intervention.” 

Langlois insists his actions were in no way heroic, adding, “I did what I hope anyone else would do for me if I was in that situation.”