Luis Campos returns to Easton City Council, offers thanks to first responders and citizens who saved him

• Easton City Administrator Luis Campos returned to council on Aug. 23 following a medical sabbatical due to a collapse from cardiac arrest while jogging in July
• Mayor Sal Panto Jr. recognized the efforts of first responders and civilians in the community who offered life-saving assistance to Campos
• Campos thanked all those who helped, and encouraged the public to seek medical assistance when they feel something may be wrong

EASTON, Pa. — Easton City Council on Wednesday welcomed back city Administrator Luis Campos and thanked the first responders and citizens who helped save his life.

It marked Campos’s return to council meetings after a medical break following his collapse from cardiac arrest while jogging in the College Hill neighborhood in early July.

First responders, citizens, friends and family assembled in council chambers to celebrate Campos’s return, and to thank those who helped to save him.

Mayor Sal Panto Jr. called attention to civilians and Easton residents Andrew Brandon and Ginger Constantin first, with Campos embracing the pair and thanking them as the mayor presented them with certificates commemorating their efforts.

“We really appreciate your efforts because without the people I'm introducing, including the two civilians, he may not be here today, and we want to thank you,” Panto said.

Honoring police officers

Captain of Administrative Services Brian Herncane honored Easton police officers Colin Hannis and Tyquan Nimmons — who was not present due to training exercises — for their swift work responding to the emergency call on July 5.

“On arrival they observed the male [Campos] laying on the sidewalk unconscious and not breathing," Herncane said.

"Officers took over CPR duties from the citizens and worked as a team providing CPR and administering a bag valve mask. They continued doing CPR for some time until EMS and Easton Fire arrived on scene and they were relieved of their duties.

“The male was transported to the hospital in critical condition, but due to the CPR and medical treatment being rendered on scene, his heart had restarted.”

Panto again thanked firefighters — "As many of you know, our firefighters are also paramedics,” he said — for their work, and said he was pleased Campos was taken to St. Luke’s Easton Campus, where former firefighter and current Emergency Medicine Chief Dr. Joseph Faccio was working.

Easton Fire Department’s Scott Walters, Joseph Admaski, Timothy Reilly, and Alex Patetta, along with Easton Emergency Squad EMTs Justin Abbott and Brian Stocker were commended for their efforts in particular.

Thank you to all involved

Campos rounded out the ceremony thanking all those who responded to his emergency, expressing immense gratitude for any and all work they did that day.

“Like the mayor said, if it wasn't for the quick actions of all involved, and there were many, I most likely would not be here today," Campos said.

"And I won't sugarcoat that, but I'm very happy to be here today. Trust me when I tell you, when I wake up, I see things a lot differently today than I did before.

“So thank you so much to everyone, and for everyone who's reached out to me in one way or another, even if you didn't and you thought about it, and told me later on, thank you, it doesn't matter.”

Campos concluded his remarks by encouraging all in attendance to keep aware of their health, and not to shy away from help if they did not feel well.

“Check yourself into the hospital emergency room or call 911,” Campos said.

“Many times you do hear stories where perhaps you thought it was just a cold or a pain that's normal, and sometimes you just may have to get that looked at a little bit closer," he said.

"Again, thank you for the opportunity to acknowledge all those individuals involved. Thank you.”