GLEN SPEY, NY — “What do we do?”

Lumberland Fire Department President Ann Steimle at a meeting on June 14 described how two local firefighters answered that question, and saved a life.

On May 17 a call came for help. A 35-year-old woman in Lumberland was having a heart attack. Lumberland Highway Department workers Eric Robles and James Steimle were working on a road about a half-mile away from the address that came through their fire department pagers.

“What do we do?” That was their question. The two department assistant chiefs were a lot closer to the address than the firehouse, so they went directly to the scene. The woman was gray and lifeless upon their arrival. They had no defibrillator, no oxygen, no equipment.

They began cardio pulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and kept at it, while they waited for the ambulance. A pulse started to return; some color came back. By the time the ambulance arrived, the unnamed woman was alert and talking. They had saved her life.

Steimle said their actions were featured on the American Heart Association’s Heart Saver website. An acquaintance, who is also a New York City firefighter, was impressed and sent New York Fire Department T-shirts in tribute.

Department chief and highway superintendent Don Hunt joined Steimle in presenting certificates of recognition to Robles and Steimle’s son, James.

The audience at the town board’s June 14 meeting gave them a standing ovation.