Gilpin volunteer firefighter honored for saving man's life in Leechburg

Gilpin firefighter Charlie Stull was having lunch at a Leechburg restaurant in August when he noticed a man who was having trouble breathing.

In seconds, the man was choking.

So Stull, 21, who also is a Gilpin supervisor, took action to save the man’s life.

“I performed the Heimlich maneuver. I learned it during firefighter training,” he said.

The abdominal thrusts expelled the piece of food the man was choking on and allowed him to start breathing again. Soon, the man’s facial color returned.

“He shook hands with me as he was leaving,” Stull said.

Stull was given the fire department’s Orbin Shaner Award late last month. The award is “presented to Gilpin volunteer firefighters who save a life even while off duty, like Stull,” fire Chief Phil McConville said.

Recipients have their names added to the award, which is on display in the fire company hall.

Orbin Shaner was the first chief for the volunteer fire company. His family helped to establish the award in the memory of the late chief.