How do you thank a hero?

Dr. Walter Lada, 91, of Cranston had no problem thanking some local heroes during a visit to the Cranston Fire Department’s Pontiac Avenue station last week.

On Dec. 20, 2015, Lada and a neighbor were having lunch at Twin Oaks.

“I took too big of a bit of my prime rib, and I don’t remember anything after that until I woke up at the hospital,” he said.

When the rescue arrived at the restaurant, Lada was being treated by an off-duty Providence police officer who had started the Heimlich maneuver and CPR. Due to the proximity of the restaurant to the station, the crew was able to get there in two minutes. Lada’s pulse actually dropped to zero, and his skin had for a time turned grayish-blue.

Paul Casey, director of EMS with the fire department, arranged last week’s meet-and-greet for Lada to thank the crew of responders that saved his life that day.

Lada, who has resided in the Garden City area since 1953, became emotional when speaking with the crew.

“How do you thank someone who has given you a second chance at life?” he said.

Casey explained how the team was able to take care of Lada so quickly.

“Many hands make it possible for us to do lots of work, fast. Our teams are all trained to the same levels,” he said. “For us, this is our normal day. We don’t seek attention or the limelight. It is their jobs. To them it is nothing special.”

Lada spent three days at Rhode Island Hospital, and then went to St. Elizabeth’s Home and after that to Florida to finish his rehabilitation.

“I still carry the rescue report with me as a souvenir. I am glad this experience is behind me,” Lada said. “All I have to do now is go to Twin Oaks and pay for those two uneaten meals.”

Lada had wanted to bring a gift to express his gratitude, but Casey said the “best gift was seeing a life saved due to our training and effort.”