Gwen McNamara is presented with the Certificate of Merit by American Red Cross Training Services President Jack McMaster and Red Cross New Jersey Region CEO Rosie Taravella.
Raymond Rios thanks those who helped save his life with his wife Cheryl by his side.
David Kotz and Daniel Castagna are presented with American Red Cross Lifesaving Awards for Professional Responders by American Red Cross New Jersey Region CEO Rosie Taravella.
While attending the Tri-State American Camping Association conference in Atlantic City last March, American Red Cross authorized providers Dave Kotz and Dan Castagna heard a commotion and rushed over from their booths to help. Dan and Dave, who are both LGIT and EMTs, learned that one of the conference attendees, Raymond Rios, had collapsed on the floor and was unresponsive.
Dave and Dan did a primary assessment and started CPR using a Bag Valve Mask. Gwen McNamara, a Red Cross employee who was at the Red Cross booth, arrived on the scene and helped ensure the scene was clear for the responders to effectively give CPR. Mike Kirschner, another vendor at the conference who is also an EMT, joined in and started giving chest compressions.
Soon the first aid bag and AED arrived on the scene. Dave, Dan, and Mike worked together to do multi-person CPR with AED and BVM until Atlantic City Fire Department and EMS arrived and transitioned care.
Raymond regained a pulse in transit to Atlantic City Trauma Center and was listed in critical condition on a ventilator. Later, he was removed from ventilator and had follow-up surgery. Raymond had a full cardiac recovery and is currently back at work selling rope challenge courses for summer camps.
On December 7, 2022, during a meeting of the American Red Cross of Northern New Jersey Board of Directors, the Red Cross presented Gwen McNamara with the 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 President of the United States Joe Biden, who is the honorary chairman of the American Red Cross, and Red Cross Chairman Bonnie McElveen-Hunter.
David Kotz, Mike Kirschner and Daniel Castagna were honored with the American Red Cross Lifesaving Award for Professional Responders. This is one of the highest awards 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 a Red Cross Training Services course. This action exemplifies the highest degree of concern of one human being for another who is in distress. The certificate bears the signatures of the President and CEO of the American Red Cross Gail McGovern and Chairman Bonnie McElveen-Hunter.
After 110 years, the American Red Cross Lifesaving Awards program, originally conceived as one award in 1911, has since evolved into three: The Certificate of Merit, The Lifesaving Award for Professional Responders, and The Certificate of Extraordinary Personal Action.
The first was awarded 1911 in recognition of first aid work rendered by railway men who helped save a life. From 1911, thousands of awards have been issued to individuals who have saved or have sustained a life, many as a direct result of American Red Cross Training Services programs.
If you or someone you know has used skills and knowledge learned in an American Red Cross Training Services course to help save or sustain the life of another individual, you can visit LifesavingAwards.org to nominate, recognize, or be inspired.