Media contact: Keith Paul
Regional Communications Director
keith.paul@redcross.org | 702-400-7680
What: Ceremony to recognize Nevada State Police Trooper and Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Officer for quick action to save a life using CPR
When: Saturday, June 4, 2022, at 10 a.m.
Where: American Red Cross of Southern Nevada Chapter, 444 E. Warm Springs Rd., Las Vegas
LAS VEGAS (June 2, 2022) — The American Red Cross of Southern Nevada on Saturday is presenting two local police officers with the organization’s Life Saving Award for taking quick action to use CPR to help save the life of a motorist having a medical episode on Interstate 15 by the Las Vegas Strip. The award coincides with National CPR/AED Awareness Week, June 1-7.
“Nevada State Police Trooper Christopher French and Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Officer Mike Smith exemplify the Red Cross mission to prevent and alleviate human suffering in the face of emergencies,” said Rachel Flanigan, Executive Director of the American Red Cross Southern Nevada Chapter. “They are to be commended for their willingness to help others in distress.”
In January 2020, Trooper French responded to a late-night reckless driving call and found a car stopped in the middle of I-15 near Flamingo Road. The driver was unconscious and not breathing. With his patrol car stopped in the middle of the highway, French pulled the driver out of his car and administered CPR on the roadway. Officer Mike Smith arrived on the scene and helped with chest compressions and the breathing bag until an ambulance arrived and took the driver to a nearby hospital.
“The driver survived only because of the brave actions of Trooper French and Officer Smith,” Flanigan said, “and we are honored to present them both with the Red Cross Lifesaving Award.”
Many who suffer sudden cardiac arrest die before getting to a hospital, and seconds count. “For every minute without defibrillation, a sudden cardiac arrest victim’s chance of surviving drops,” said Flanigan. “That’s why it is critical for as many people as possible to be trained to perform CPR and know how to use an AED until advanced help arrives.”
Championed by the American Red Cross and the American Heart Association, in 2007, the U.S. Congress unanimously passed a resolution setting aside June 1-7 each year as National CPR and AED Awareness Week. The week is dedicated to spotlighting the lives that can be saved if more people know how to administer CPR and use an AED.
CPR/AED/First Aid training is available now
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.
Nominations for the Red Cross Life Saving Award are always open
If you know of a local hero or group of individuals in your community who have used Red Cross skills or training to save or sustain a life, please submit a nomination at LifesavingAwards.org.
About the American Red Cross
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds, and provides comfort to victims of disasters; supplies about 40% of the nation's blood; teaches skills that save lives; distributes international humanitarian aid; and supports veterans, military members, and their families. The Red Cross is a nonprofit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to deliver its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or CruzRojaAmericana.org, or visit us on Twitter at @RedCross