“It happened so quick,” said Nate Moran. “We went to the hospitality tent, and when I turned around, Dad had fallen. Two people were helping him up, and he wasn’t sure what had happened, but then he went out again.”
Nate and his father, Patrick, were enjoying the 2025 Rantoul Farm Progress Show together in August when his father experienced cardiac arrest.
Before Nate could react, an Arrow Ambulance paramedic, Jerry Beckley, who had seen the emergency happen, jumped into action to provide emergency cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).
Since 1963, Arrow Ambulance paramedics, emergency medical technicians and dispatchers, have been jumping in to serve Central Illinois and surrounding communities. After joining the Carle Health system in 1987, Arrow continues to save lives in emergency situations and prevent emergencies through their educational efforts.
Operating under the medical direction of Carle Foundation Hospital, the region's only Level 1 Trauma Center, the team provides pre-arrival care instructions, advanced life support, state-of-the-art equipment and support while in transit.
It’s that same level of dedication shown to the Morans that the team brings to every shift serving the community. Patients know that they can rely on Arrow Ambulance for aid during times of crisis.
“They did CPR, and they had him back,” said Moran.
“The call was about as ‘right time, right place’ as it gets,” Jerry Beckley, lead paramedic, Arrow Ambulance, said. “I was twenty feet from the gentleman when he collapsed. I just went on autopilot at that point, and the scenario changed from ‘right place at the right time’ to ‘when training meets opportunity’.”
Beckley has been a paramedic for over 25 years, joining Arrow Ambulance in 2016, and he has also been a CPR instructor for most of that time.
“Honestly, immediately starting CPR is what saved that man’s life. I was just a vessel to provide it. I had plenty of assistance with staffing at the Farm Progress show,” Beckley said. “I knew that I wanted to get into an ambulance and get the gentleman to a hospital to provide definitive care and to ensure a positive outcome.”
Because the teams from Arrow Ambulance and the Rantoul Fire Department together reacted quickly to provide Patrick Moran aid before and while transferring him to the hospital, he didn't experience any other health issues following cardiac arrest.
“Jerry was phenomenal,” said Moran. “He kept me calm, he kept dad calm, he kept everyone calm and was reassuring dad that it would all be fine.”
“Enroute to Carle from Rantoul, I kept the son and patient calm in what I can only imagine was the most unimaginable and scary thing either of them had witnessed and or been a part of.”
For his part, Beckley said this call reignited his passion for his work.
“After the call, after the truck was restocked, after the chart was closed, I did feel pretty good about what myself and everyone involved did,” Beckley said. “I won’t lie and say I didn’t get emotional enough to cry a little. I did shed a few tears of joy. This call rekindled my sense of worth and solidified my dedication to this job.”
Being able to provide CPR in an emergency helps to save lives, and Beckley encourages everyone to receive CPR training.
Arrow team members are extensively trained, and Arrow Ambulance also supports the training and facilitation of local emergency responders.
Patrick Moran is recovering well with a medication plan, stent and support from his family and Carle Health care team. Beckley made sure to reach out to Nate Moran to see how his father was doing after his discharge from the hospital.
When remembering this conversation with Beckley, Moran said, “He was very concerned and was happy to hear that dad was still with us. A few other paramedics reached out to tell us that they were happy with the way it went. They’ve all been very nice and concerned, and that’s been nice.”
For the Arrow Ambulance team, every call is a chance to make a difference. Their steady compassion in every crisis is what makes them truly exceptional.
For more information about Arrow Ambulance, visit Carle.org.
Nate and his father, Patrick, were enjoying the 2025 Rantoul Farm Progress Show together in August when his father experienced cardiac arrest.
Before Nate could react, an Arrow Ambulance paramedic, Jerry Beckley, who had seen the emergency happen, jumped into action to provide emergency cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).
Since 1963, Arrow Ambulance paramedics, emergency medical technicians and dispatchers, have been jumping in to serve Central Illinois and surrounding communities. After joining the Carle Health system in 1987, Arrow continues to save lives in emergency situations and prevent emergencies through their educational efforts.
Operating under the medical direction of Carle Foundation Hospital, the region's only Level 1 Trauma Center, the team provides pre-arrival care instructions, advanced life support, state-of-the-art equipment and support while in transit.
It’s that same level of dedication shown to the Morans that the team brings to every shift serving the community. Patients know that they can rely on Arrow Ambulance for aid during times of crisis.
“They did CPR, and they had him back,” said Moran.
“The call was about as ‘right time, right place’ as it gets,” Jerry Beckley, lead paramedic, Arrow Ambulance, said. “I was twenty feet from the gentleman when he collapsed. I just went on autopilot at that point, and the scenario changed from ‘right place at the right time’ to ‘when training meets opportunity’.”
Beckley has been a paramedic for over 25 years, joining Arrow Ambulance in 2016, and he has also been a CPR instructor for most of that time.
“Honestly, immediately starting CPR is what saved that man’s life. I was just a vessel to provide it. I had plenty of assistance with staffing at the Farm Progress show,” Beckley said. “I knew that I wanted to get into an ambulance and get the gentleman to a hospital to provide definitive care and to ensure a positive outcome.”
Because the teams from Arrow Ambulance and the Rantoul Fire Department together reacted quickly to provide Patrick Moran aid before and while transferring him to the hospital, he didn't experience any other health issues following cardiac arrest.
“Jerry was phenomenal,” said Moran. “He kept me calm, he kept dad calm, he kept everyone calm and was reassuring dad that it would all be fine.”
“Enroute to Carle from Rantoul, I kept the son and patient calm in what I can only imagine was the most unimaginable and scary thing either of them had witnessed and or been a part of.”
For his part, Beckley said this call reignited his passion for his work.
“After the call, after the truck was restocked, after the chart was closed, I did feel pretty good about what myself and everyone involved did,” Beckley said. “I won’t lie and say I didn’t get emotional enough to cry a little. I did shed a few tears of joy. This call rekindled my sense of worth and solidified my dedication to this job.”
Being able to provide CPR in an emergency helps to save lives, and Beckley encourages everyone to receive CPR training.
Arrow team members are extensively trained, and Arrow Ambulance also supports the training and facilitation of local emergency responders.
Patrick Moran is recovering well with a medication plan, stent and support from his family and Carle Health care team. Beckley made sure to reach out to Nate Moran to see how his father was doing after his discharge from the hospital.
When remembering this conversation with Beckley, Moran said, “He was very concerned and was happy to hear that dad was still with us. A few other paramedics reached out to tell us that they were happy with the way it went. They’ve all been very nice and concerned, and that’s been nice.”
For the Arrow Ambulance team, every call is a chance to make a difference. Their steady compassion in every crisis is what makes them truly exceptional.
For more information about Arrow Ambulance, visit Carle.org.
Categories: Community
Tags: Ambulance, Arrow, Care, Emergency, EMS, Medical, Paramedic, Patient, Service