Just 11 minutes.
That’s the time it took to bring a local dad, Corey Bandurski, to a return of spontaneous circulation last July in North Park, thanks to an efficient and effective chain of command, beginning with the quick actions of good Samaritans to the first responders who answered the call that day.
Bandurski’s survival story was shared during the McCandless-Franklin Park Ambulance Authority open house May 17 at its headquarters off Grubbs Road.
“It could’ve turned out a lot worse. The job you do is amazing. It helped save my life,” said Bandurski, who was there with his wife, Sarah.
The father of three was playing dek hockey in North Park last summer with his son, Noah, now 12, when he experienced sudden cardiac arrest.
A bystander began CPR with a call being made to 911 at 7:07 p.m.
Local emergency services, including the MFPAA, were dispatched at 7:09 p.m. and one shock by a defibrillator was given at 7:17 p.m., according to Cheryl Rickens, an EMS specialist from UPMC Prehospital Care.
At 7:18 p.m., or 11 minutes after the 911 call, Bandurski made a successful return to spontaneous circulation, or ROSC. The Shaler resident was then transported to UPMC Passavant, said Rickens, who was providing commendations and recognitions to local EMS and other first responders during the open house.
The Bandurskis also have two daughters, Claire, 14, and Grace, 10.
Sarah Bandurski called it a miracle.
“Everybody that day helped a lot,” she said.
Local fire and police also attended the call.
“We take some of these things for granted, of how we got into this. And sometimes during EMS week, it’s a good memory of that,” Rickens said.
EMS Week, held May 17-23, was started in 1974 by President Gerald Ford, Rickens said.
Responders also were recognized for saving the life of another local man, Daniel Donahoe, who suffered sudden cardiac arrest in June 2025 in North Park.
Again, two good Samaritans, including Courtney Luoma, a midwife visiting her sister in Pittsburgh, came on the scene to administer CPR while waiting for EMS and other first responders to arrive.
The call for Donahoe of Pine came in at 11:44 a.m. EMS arrived at 11:53, and one shock was given at 11:54 with a return of spontaneous circulation, or ROSC, at 11:57 a.m. It was 13 minutes from the initial call to the ROSC. Donahoe was then taken to UPMC Passavant and transferred to UPMC Presbyterian, according to Rickens.
These actions fit in well with the MFPAA’s theme this year of “improving outcomes together,” said MFPAA Chief Chris Dell at the open house.
“It’s all about partnerships,” he said.
Dell recognized his staff, local legislators, fire and police, the MFPAA board of directors, partnerships with Allegheny County emergency services, UPMC and the Allegheny Health Network.
He also acknowledged local fire departments, police and road crews, the last of which helped to keep the routes clear throughout the year.
Training is pertinent to good service. MFPAA crew members spent about 4,000 hours last year in training. The nonprofit also held more than 3,800 hours of training for local students studying emergency medical services, he said.
Last year, the MFPAA responded to more than 9,000 calls.
On May 17, from 7 a.m. to the start of the open house at 11 a.m., the MFPAA had eight ambulance calls.
“That does not include four overnight. We keep very busy,” Dell said.
Rickens was on-site to highlight the hard work and efforts of the chain of first responders, from good-hearted bystanders to various first-responder call dispatchers, hospital staff and more.
She also honored the two individuals who survived their medical emergencies.
“You give all of us the encouragement to learn CPR and how to use an AED and to do the job that we do,” Rickens said.
Rickens likes to celebrate the survivors’ “rebirthdays.”
Bandurski, who has a March birthday, can also celebrate his rebirthday in July, with 300 bonus days and counting, Rickens said.
For Donahoe, whose real birthday is in April, his rebirthday is June 20, or 331 “bonus days and counting.”
“Thank-you for your service. I appreciate it, and we will always be here for you,” Donahoe said.
MFPAA received national accreditation in 2024 by the Commission on Accreditation of Ambulance Services.