RINCON — The Rincon City Council has never handled more important business.

During its Sept. 23 meeting, the council recognized a pair of public safety employees for their life-saving actions.

“It’s not often that we get to do this,” said Jonathan Murrell, interim chief of the Rincon Police Department. “On Sept. 9, we had a pretty amazing day. We had two lives saved because of the amazing capabilities of our officers and dispatch.”

At approximately 8 a.m. Sept. 9, Officer Dee Dee Hackle was dispatched to a scene involving a man in full cardiac arrest.

“Other first responders brought to my attention the amazing job that she did,” Murrell said. “She arrived on the scene and immediately found the male subject unconscious, and started performing CPR. She did an amazing job.”

The man was transported to a hospital and is recovering.

“We wanted to invite him here tonight but unfortunately he was unable to come,” Murrell said. “We appreciate the job well done.”

Effingham County E-911 operator Andrea McIntosh was honored for actions she took on the afternoon of Sept. 9.

“She received a frantic phone call from the mother of a one-year-old child who was not breathing,” Murrell said. “Andrea successfully coached the mother through CPR ...”

The child was breathing on its own by the time first responders arrived on the scene, Murrell said.

 “Andrea, we appreciate what you do,” the chief said.

Murrell asked other E-911 employees in attendance, including Director Jay Spinks, to stand.

“Dispatch (employees) are some of our unsung heroes,” Murrell said. “They keep us informed when we are responding to calls and they don’t really have the opportunity for public recognition as we do at city council meetings. We appreciate you guys for keeping us safe and all the hard work that you do.”

Mayor Ken Lee thanked Murrell for bringing Hackle and McIntosh’s life-saving work to the council’s attention.

“I know that the (affected) families are very appreciative and we are, too,” he said.