AMERICAN RED CROSS PRESENTS CERTIFICATE OF MERIT AWARD TO MAJOR JAMES CUSIC III Award recognizes those who use first aid, CPR training to help save lives Contact: Stacey Grissom Phone: (202) 639-3310 Pager: (877) 771-1909 grissoms@usa.redcross.org National Headquarters 430 17th Street, N.W. Washington, DC 20006 WASHINGTON, October 7, 2002 — Each year, the American Red Cross trains nearly 12 million people in lifesaving skills such as first aid, CPR, the use of an automated external defibrillator, water safety and lifeguarding. On September 11, Major James Cusic III, USAF, called on his Red Cross training in first aid and CPR to save the lives of three people when a hijacked plane struck the Pentagon. For his heroic and lifesaving actions, Major Cusic today received the American Red Cross Certificate of Merit in a ceremony at Red Cross headquarters. The Certificate of Merit is the highest award given by the Red Cross to individuals who save or sustain a life using skills learned in a Red Cross Health and Safety course. It is a goal of the American Red Cross to have at least one person in each home in the country trained in first aid, CPR or the use of an automated external defibrillator (AED). “We’re extremely proud to present this award to Major Cusic because his actions on September 11 demonstrate why a fundamental mission of the Red Cross-to help people prevent, prepare for and respond to emergencies-is so important,” said Scott Connor, vice president of Health and Safety, Youth and Community Services for the American Red Cross. “An emergency can strike any place, any time, and having as many people trained as possible in lifesaving skills such as first aid, CPR and AED use makes us all safer.” Major Cusic was sitting at his desk in the Pentagon Complex on September 11 when he felt the building shudder. Upon being ordered to evacuate, Major Cusic, a Red Cross health and safety instructor trainer, immediately went into the TRIAGE area set up to assist the wounded and started to help. Of 65 patients treated, Major Cusic was directly responsible for saving the lives of three people: two who suffered severe burns and the third, a fireman, who was affected by stress, heat exhaustion and cardiac arrhythmia. Major Cusic also provided vital support to two other victims. Major Cusic, now retired from the U.S. Air Force, is a native of Fairview Heights, Illinois and currently is the disaster services specialist for the St. Louis chapter of the American Red Cross in Missouri. He and his wife Terrie, have four children, Mary, James, Michael and Patrick. Governed by volunteers and supported by community donations, the American Red Cross is a nationwide network of nearly 1,000 chapters and Blood Services regions dedicated to saving lives and helping people prevent, prepare for and respond to emergencies. Led by 1.2 million volunteers and 30,000 employees, the Red Cross annually mobilizes relief to families affected by more than 67,000 disasters, trains almost 12 million people in lifesaving skills and exchanges more than a million emergency messages for U.S. military service personnel and their families. The Red Cross is the largest supplier of blood and blood products to more than 3,000 hospitals across the nation and also assists victims of international disasters and conflicts at locations worldwide. © Copyright 2002 The American National Red Cross. All Rights Reserved.        CONTACT US  |  SITE DIRECTORY  |  PRIVACY POLICY