HORSEHEADS, N.Y. (WENY) -- May 19th through May 25th marks National EMS Week, a time to celebrate first responders and their important work in the community.  First responders in Horseheads saved a man's life through quick thinking and CPR earlier this year, and they were honored with a special pin for their life saving efforts.

Dennis Tubbs lives in Horseheads.  In January, he experienced sudden cardiac arrest.  His wife Ande, a registered nurse, sprung into action, performing CPR until first responders could get there.  Once first responders arrived, they continued CPR, and hooked Tubbs up to an AED to try and jump start his heart.

"[Ande] is my hero, she really is," said Tubbs.  "It's pretty incredible to see how many [first responders] handled me, or were in my living room doing compressions or holding or hooking up the AED. I had no idea that there were that many people, and they were all involved and they all cared, and most of them were volunteers, so I'm impressed."

According to the American Heart Association, only about 10% of people who experience out-of-hospital cardiac arrest survive.  CPR is the first step to saving lives.

"Being National EMS week, we have to emphasize to the public that they're part of emergency medicine. They have to start, especially CPR when somebody's in cardiac arrest, so we get there, we can continue the CPR, and then the chain of survival through the ambulance and then through the emergency room and the hospitals," said Chief Arthur Sullivan from the Horseheads Fire Department.

First responders from the Horseheads Police and Fire Departments, and Erway Ambulance received pins for their live saving measures.  Tubbs says he doesn't remember any of the incident from earlier in the year, so this was his first time meeting the people who helped save his life.

"Thanks. My grandchildren say thank you. They enjoy hugs, and I do too, so just thanks, that's all I can say," said Tubbs.

Chief Sullivan says its rewarding to meet the people who first responders help everyday, especially during National EMS Week.

"The best phone call I had was him calling me and saying do you know who I am? That I was doing CPR on him, and now I'm able to talk to him, and then he is continuing the education of CPR through his church. You can't ask for a better success story," said Chief Sullivan.

Dennis and Ande Tubbs have started a CPR initiative with their church to spread awareness about the importance of CPR.  Chief Sullivan says everyone should be CPR certified.  In Elmira, EMSTAR on West Water Street handles CPR certifications.