A couple hours of your time and $15 can provide you with the key to save the life of a friend, loved one, or a stranger.

That’s what it takes to learn cardio pulmonary resuscitation (CPR) techniques during a class offered on the first Saturday of each month by the Manteca Fire Department.

If you doubt the power of knowing CPR, just ask Steve Keegan.

His neighbor James DeCuir was showing him a new swimming pool filter system when he suddenly collapsed and went into full cardiac arrest.

Keegan immediately started administering CPR. He tried calling 9-1-1 on his cell phone but had difficulty doing so in the chaos. He then ran toward the house to access a land line when he saw the fire department’s rescue squad. He flagged down the rescue squad. That brought Fire Captain Robert Martinez and Firefighter/Engineer Jeff Barr who used a defibrillator to help bring DeCuir back.

The pair — assigned that day at the Lathrop Road fire station — was returning from a call on Mission Ridge Drive because the fire engine company assigned to the nearby Union Road station was on another call at the time.

Fire Chief Kirk Waters presented Keegan with a plaque at Tuesday’s City Council meeting recognizing his quick actions. Also honored were Martinez and Barr.

If you think knowing CPR is worth it, call the fire department at 456.8300 for more information.



Dennis’ Dream:

Disneyland

You can help make a lifelong dream come true for a 70-year-old Manteca man named Dennis who was told he would not live past age 10 due to cerebral palsy.

Doctors recently spotted a dark spot on his liver they said is the beginning stages of cirrhosis of the liver that was caused by the medication he ahs been on for most of his life.

Given the prognosis family and friends want to help Dennis go to Disneyland — a place he’s reamed of going all of us life.

They have arranged a Handicap 6 Game Tournament at Manteca Bowl to raise money for Dennis’ Dream on Sunday, Sept. 27, at 3 p.m.

The cost is $35 with details available at the bowling alley.

They also have established a GoFundMe webpage at godund.me/s2zdg