Man collapses at Miami Beach Fire Rescue's budget meeting

MIAMI BEACH, Fla. (WSVN) -- During discussions surrounding potential cuts to Miami Beach Fire Rescue's budget Thursday night, a committee member suffered a heart attack and officials jumped to his aid.

Antonio Hernandez was chairing the meeting of the Budget Advisory Committee when, at around 8 p.m., he collapsed. Officials from the Miami Beach Fire Department ran to help Hernandez. "We rushed up to the stage, and we pulled him off, and we realized that he's at full cardiac arrest. We obviously had no equipment, no masks. We had to go mouth-to-mouth," said Adonis Garcia.

Firefighters, police officers and the city manager all jumped into action. "I actually started chest compressions. We were having difficulties doing that, and I immediately helped Adonis to try to help him get oxygen into him by hyper-extending his neck," Alejandro Bello said.

Hernandez was transported to Mt. Sinai Hospital where he is said to be in the intensive care unit.

Miami Beach City Manager Jorge Gonzalez said in the care of the rescue workers, he knew for certain Hernandez would not succumb to the heart attack. He said they are praying for Hernandez and his family as he recovers. "It is important to make sure that, you know, if you can offer help, however much or however little it is, help is always something positive," Gonzalez said.

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