When Every Second Counts

On November 10th, Chad Hersey received the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center’s (FLETC) Director’s Life Saving Award from FLETC Director Connie L. Patrick for saving the life of one of his students during a training course he was conducting in Little Rock, Arkansas.

FLETC Director Connie Patrick presents Chad Hersey with the Director’s Life Saving Award certificate, which reads: “In recognition of your immediate response to a heart attack victim during an export Commercial Vehicle Counterterrorism Training Program in Little Rock, Arkansas, on August 26th, 2009. While acting commendably and without hesitation, you performed CPR and used the AED until emergency medical technicians arrived on scene. As a result, the life of a fellow officer was saved.”

Chad Hersey, one of FLETC’s Physical Techniques Instructors, was conducting a four day training course as part of the Commercial Vehicle Counterterrorism Training Program (CVCTP) in Little Rock, Arkansas, in August. During a training exercise entitled “Tractor-Trailer stop,” where students practice looking for a Weapon of Mass Destruction in a vehicle, one of Chad’s students suddenly clutched his chest and lost consciousness. Chad caught and eased the student to the ground, and, after realizing he wasn’t breathing, began CPR and called for an automated external defibrillator (AED). He performed CPR and used the AED to resuscitate the student, who was unresponsive for a short time. Chad then worked with the student until the Emergency Medical Technicians arrived, and ultimately the student was saved. Chad’s instinctive training, his quick response, and his persistence meant the difference for this student; it could for someone you know, as well.

Chad came to FLETC’s Counterterrorism Training Division in 2005 after a career with the Georgia State Patrol, and joined FLETC’s Physical Techniques Division in March, 2009, where he received his most recent first aid and CPR training. Chad’s heroic act and his ability to respond quickly in this emergency situation were undoubtedly influenced and informed by his CPR and AED training. This can serve as a live-saving lesson for the rest of us. The department encourages the public to be prepared in circumstances like these. Attend an emergency preparedness training, as Secretary Napolitano did in August, when she and her senior staff became CPR and AED certified. Check out the American Red Cross’ website to learn more about getting trained on these and other live-saving skills, and visit ready.gov to stay prepared at home and in the workplace.

Click here to learn more about FLETC and its training programs.

Dr. Alexander Garza is the Assistant Secretary for Health Affairs and Chief Medical Officer for the Department of Homeland Security