For a life-saving act in late April, five local heroes received an award for their bravery from Sandy City on June 13 at

city hall.

Five pharmacists who work at the Smith’s Food and Drug at 2039 E. 9400 South were presented the award after saving the life of Giles Fronce who lost consciousness in a chair outside the pharmacy. 

“I truly believe that the patient’s outcome would not have been as positive as it was had the Smith’s staff not acted so quickly and efficiently,” said Stacy Jorgenson, the paramedic from Sandy Fire Station 32 who arrived on the scene.

The quick response was started by Sam Conte who alerted the other staff members that Fronce was slumped in the chair and unresponsive. Whitney Coe looked for a pulse and determined there was none. Koffi Amevor started CPR soon after while Jane Player called 911 and Heather Davidson called for the AED, administering a shock to Fronce. 

“By the time the ambulance arrived at the hospital, Mr. Fronce was alert and doing significantly better,” Sandy Fire Chief Ryan McConaghie said. 

“In the emergency response world, it is known that the two interventions that improve the chances of survival in a cardiac arrest are high quality CPR and early defibrillation, both of which were provided to Mr. Fronce that day by the lifesaving efforts of the Smith’s employees,” McConaghie said. 

“I’m so glad that they were trained and jumped in when they needed to, otherwise I wouldn’t be here,” Fronce told KSL TV.

Fronce’s wife, Marti Fronce, called Amevor a hero through tears at the event when she hugged him.

“I’m just grateful to see Mr. Giles (Fronce) be able to be here today and continue to do better,” Amevor told KSL TV. “That’s just what I’m grateful for today.” λ