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

En Espanol

Whether it’s age, walk of life, ethnicity or nationality—everyone is at risk. Department of Homeland Security has a responsibility to ensure that every community has equal access to our messages during a disaster, and that every individual can find public information during a crisis.

Today, Secretary Janet Napolitano applauded FEMA’s redesigned Spanish-language website. Located at http://www.fema.gov/espanol, the newly redesigned site helps fulfill Secretary Napolitano’s commitment to openness and accessibility in our efforts to build a culture of readiness and resilience across the nation.

The redesigned site provides easier access to and expanded information about current disasters, preparedness, and a Spanish-language version of FEMA’s National Emergency Family Registry and Locator systems at www.disasterassistance.gov/espanol – a site to help family members locate each other during a crisis.

We spent September talking about what to do before something happens. Now we need to ask the question, “¿Estan Preparados?”

Check out the new site, and tell your friends and loved ones.

White House Meeting on H1N1 Preparedness

The Secretary participated in a briefing at the White House today on H1N1 preparedness with President Obama, other cabinet secretaries, and White House officials. After the meeting, President Obama was joined by the cabinet secretaries in the Rose Garden and he talked about their meeting, which was focused on the importance of public preparation for H1N1 as we head into flu season.

President Obama:

As I said when we saw the first cases of this virus back in the spring, I don't want anybody to be alarmed, but I do want everybody to be prepared. We know that we usually get a second, larger wave of these flu viruses in the fall, and so response plans have been put in place across all levels of government. Our plans and decisions are based on the best scientific information available, and as the situation changes, we will continue to update the public.

We're also making steady progress on developing a safe and effective H1N1 flu vaccine, and we expect a flu shot program will begin soon. This program will be completely voluntary, but it will be strongly recommended.

For all that we do in the federal government, however, every American has a role to play in responding to this virus. We need state and local governments on the front lines to make antiviral medications and vaccines available, and be ready to take whatever steps are necessary to support the health care system. We need hospitals and health care providers to continue preparing for an increased patient load, and to take steps to protect health care workers. We need families and businesses to ensure that they have plans in place if a family member, a child, or a co-worker contracts the flu and needs to stay home.

And most importantly we need everyone to get informed about individual risk factors, and we need everyone to take the common-sense steps that we know can make a difference. Stay home if you're sick. Wash your hands frequently. Cover your sneezes with your sleeve, not your hands. And take all the necessary precautions to stay healthy. I know it sounds simple, but it's important and it works.

The government recently released updated guidance for businesses and schools, and flu.gov will continue to be a great resource for individuals in advance of flu season. September, as we posted on earlier today, is National Preparedness Month, and every American shares a responsibility to be ready for H1N1 this fall.

Assistant Secretary for Policy Sits Down with Reporters

David Heyman, Assistant Secretary for Policy, sat down with reporters Wednesday to answer questions and discuss preparedness and business contingency planning for H1N1. He talked about what individuals and businesses can do to prepare for the upcoming flu--from taking care of your family to encouraging employers to be ready to support employees and their business.

Take a moment to view the video we put together to highlight some of his key points.

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Secretary's Remarks to the American Legion

The Secretary just wrapped up remarks at the American Legion's 2009 National Convention. She spoke about the Department’s ongoing support and outreach to American veterans, and announced her commitment to employ 50,000 veterans at DHS by 2012. The department currently employs over 46,000 veterans; one quarter of its workforce.

“The men and women of the armed services work tirelessly every day to ensure the safety and security of the American people,” said Secretary Napolitano. “We are honored by the thousands of veterans working at DHS who use their unique experience and extraordinary dedication to help DHS protect our nation from threats and prepare for disasters.”

The 2009 National Convention, in Louisville, KY this year, is the governing body of the American Legion, and brings together the Legion's 55 departments to chart the course forward for the Legion.


After her speech, the Secretary stopped in a meeting of the Women's Auxiliary and discussed her own adolescent experiences at the New Mexico Girls State session. Girls State is sponsored by the American Legion, and provides "hands-on citizenship training" to high school juniors around the country. This year, Girls State is emphasizing "Patriotism, Participation, and Progress." You can visit the American Legion's website for more information.

The Secretary also spoke to the Women's Auxiliary about the importance of preparedness, particularly around the topic of H1N1. She emphasized that we all possess a shared responsibility when it comes to being ready for any kind of national situation; be it H1N1, a natural disaster, or a terrorist incident. She ended her impromptu remarks to a standing ovation, with one member of the women's auxiliary reportedly yelling out, "Yeah, girl!"

You can check out the Secretary's remarks here.

Secretary Attends CPR Certification Training

The Secretary, along with 25 senior officials at the Department, were instructed by Red Cross officials today on CPR and basic first aid.

Watch the video below for the Secretary's remarks from today's training.


Then check our ready.gov for more information on how you can be prepared at home and at work.

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