Jill Palmer, Executive Director of the Florida Gulf Coast to Heartland Chapter with Tony Nazzaro and Jim Mahon, Board Chair of the Florida Gulf Coast to Heartland Chapter.
PHOTO CREDIT: Paul Bonasia, Red Cross Public Affairs Volunteer
FORT MYERS, FLA. (JUNE 8, 2022) – On June 1, the Florida Gulf Coast to Heartland Chapter of the American Red Cross recognized local volunteer, Tony Nazzaro with a Lifesaving Award for using lifesaving skills to save a life.
Emergencies can happen at any time: in the grocery store, at a family gathering, at the community pool, or even at your own home or office. But regardless of when and where they occur, emergency situations usually have one thing in common: a crowd of people standing around, watching someone in distress—wondering who should act and trying to remember what to do.
On November 10, 2021, Tony, who previously completed an online American Red Cross Adult First Aid/CPR/AED course helped to save the life of a man who collapsed suddenly at the CenturyLink Sports Complex in Fort Myers, Fla. A bystander started CPR while Tony ran over to the victim and yelled out for someone to retrieve the AED. Tony took over CPR while another gentleman was on the phone with 911 and another bystander brought over the AED. He continued giving CPR, and then switched with another bystander so he could apply the AED pads. They gave the all-clear and delivered a shock followed by another cycle of CPR with another shock from the AED. Tony gave rescue breaths while another bystander performed chest compressions. They continued CPR until the paramedic’s arrived and the victim was transported to the hospital. Without a doubt, the skills learned in the American Red Cross Training Services course helped to save the life of this gentleman.
For his actions, Tony Nazzaro has been awarded the American Red Cross Certificate of Merit. This is the highest award given by the American Red Cross to an individual or team of individuals who saves or sustains a life by using skills and knowledge learned in an American Red Cross Training Services course. The certificate bears the signature of the President of the United States, who is the honorary chairman of the American Red Cross, and the signature of the chairman of the American Red Cross.
Tony was awarded the Certificate of Merit during a Volunteer Recognition Event attended by Red Cross staff, volunteers and board members.
“Since 1911, the Red Cross Lifesaving Awards have recognized those who, in an emergency, use their lifesaving skills and knowledge to save or sustain a life. Tony’s actions demonstrate the highest degree of concern of one human for another who is in distress,” said Jill Palmer, executive director, Florida Gulf Coast to Heartland Chapter, “The Red Cross has awarded over 1,844 individuals with lifesaving awards resulting in more than 924 lives saved. Tony is now among a very special group.”
Take a First Aid and CPR Course online to learn what to do in case emergency help is delayed.
A variety of online, blended (online and in-person skills session), and classroom courses are also available. To learn more and get started, visit redcross.org/takeaclass.
NOMINATE SOMEONE
If you know of a local hero in your community or group of individuals who used Red Cross skills or training to save or sustain a life, you can nominate them at LifesavingAwards.org.
About the American Red Cross:
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the nation's blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org/southflorida or visit us on Twitter at @SFLRedCross.