Pictured are the dedicated public servants of the Milan Police Department, Milan Fire Department, and Superior Ambulance. Not pictured is the PHI Medical Helicopter team, but their contributions were just as vital. These first responders came together on January 23 to save a man's life after he collapsed outside John Brooks in the Village of Milan.
Milan Police Officer Michael Porter was the first on the scene and immediately began chest compressions. According to fellow officers who arrived shortly after, the effort felt like it lasted 'forever.' But Porter, reserved and humble, downplayed his role. 'This was a team effort,' he said firmly. Having performed CPR multiple times in his career, this was the second time he had seen it successfully revive someone.
Despite praise from Chief Carl Ustupski and fellow officers, Porter was quick to redirect credit, emphasizing that CPR alone is not always enough. He stressed the importance of advanced medical equipment and thanked the emergency teams at Superior Ambulance and PHI Medical Helicopter for their swift response and expertise.
The man who collapsed was flown to the University of New Mexico Hospital, where he arrived alive and stable—a testament to the coordination and skill of these first responders. Chief Ustupski commended the team’s effort, calling it an exemplary display of emergency response. The Medical Director Chelsea White echoed this sentiment, stating, 'Great teamwork all around on this call. Everything was done as it should have been.”
After some convincing, Porter and his fellow responders agreed to take this group photo—a powerful reminder of the lifesaving work they do every day.