Monroe Township Police Officer Doug Perrone is presented with the Lifesaving Award by Red Cross NJ CEO Rosie Taravella (far right) as his mom Lynne Perrone and Police Chief Michael J. Biennas look on.
Chris Moses and Kerri Comer receive Lifesaving Awards from Red Cross NJ CEO Rosie Taravella and Executive Director Matt Teter (far right) as Waldwick Mayor Thomas Giordano (award nominator) looks on.
Nathaniel Parker and Toni Visco receive Lifesaving Awards from Red Cross NJ CEO Rosie Taravella and Executive Director Kim Geotz (far right) as Charles Berman and his wife Mindy look on.
American Red Cross training in skills such as CPR, first aid and use of an AED gives people the know how to act in an emergency and save lives. When people use these skills to help save a life, the Red Cross recognizes not only their efforts, but their pure willingness to help others in a critical time of need.
Recently the Red Cross had the opportunity to recognize seven individuals for their lifesaving actions in New Jersey.
Douglas Perrone, Monroe, NJ
Certificate of Extraordinary Personal Action
On November 26, 2020, Monroe Township Police Officer Douglas Perrone was on duty during the night shift when he received a call over the radio alerting him that an automobile had overturned and was engulfed in flames.
Officer Perrone arrived at the scene and found the driver was still inside the automobile. Officer Perrone tried using a fire extinguisher to control the flames, but after no effect, he entered the fiery vehicle through the rear of the automobile. After he was able to release the driver from his seatbelt, Officer Perrone quickly extracted the gentleman from the automobile.
While waiting for Emergency Services, Officer Perrone tended to the gentleman to ensure he was stable. EMS arrived shortly after and continued to provide care.
Without a doubt, the actions of Officer Douglas Perrone helped to save the life of this gentleman.
For this act, Douglas Perrone has been awarded the American Red Cross Certificate of Extraordinary Personal Action. This award is given to individuals who step up in an emergency situation and help save or sustain a life. These individuals exemplify the mission of the Red Cross to prevent and alleviate human suffering in the face of emergencies. They are to be commended for their willingness to help others in distress.
Chris Moses and Kerri Comer, Waldwick, NJ
Certificates of Extraordinary Personal Action
On September 21, 2020, Chris Moses and Kerri Comer were on vacation down in Cape May. As they were waiting on line for their turn to go up to the top of the Cape May Lighthouse, they heard a woman screaming at the top of the stairs. Someone asked if there was a doctor or a nurse present. Kerri, who has a medical background and Chris, who is a volunteer firefighter trained in first aid, quickly stepped forward and climbed the 217 stairs.
Once Chris and Kerri were at the top, they found a man who had fallen unconscious and had a large laceration on his head. Upon closer inspection, it was determined the gentleman lacked a pulse and he was not breathing.
Chris began administering chest compressions while Kerri helped to clear the area. Another bystander from the crowd appeared announcing he was a doctor. Chris and the doctor performed two-rescuer CPR, taking turns with the compressions.
Emergency Medical Services arrived shortly after and continued to provide care. Without a doubt, the actions of Chris and Kerri helped to save the life of the gentleman in the lighthouse.
Nathaniel Parker, Plainsboro, NJ
Lifesaving Award for Professional Responders
Toni Visco, Elliott Law and Kim Geise, Plainsboro, NJ
Certificates of Extraordinary Personal Action
Nathaniel Parker, a Princeton Fitness & Wellness Center employee trained in American Red Cross Adult and Pediatric CPR/AED, together with member and nurse Kim Geise and center employees Toni Visco and Elliott Law, helped to save the life of Charles Berman, a member who fell unconscious at the center in Plainsboro.
On December 31, 2019, Mr. Berman was utilizing the treadmill when he collapsed and fell to the floor. Trainer Toni Visco heard the noise and went into the room to investigate. Toni, seeing Berman on the floor, ran over and tried to get him to respond, but he was non-responsive. Toni advised fellow staff to call 9-1-1 and bring the AED.
Kim Giese, a nurse who was on the treadmill next to Berman, had immediately jumped off her treadmill and began to help by conducting an assessment. Berman was not breathing and lacked a pulse. Kim began administering chest compressions while Toni setup the AED.
The AED analyzed. Nathaniel Parker and Elliot Law read the AED results. It advised that no shock was needed. After several cycles of CPR, the gentleman began to respond. Emergency Medical Services arrived shortly after and continued to provide care.
Without a doubt, the skills learned in the American Red Cross Training Services course helped to save the life of Charles Berman.
For this act, Nathaniel Parker has been awarded the American Red Cross Lifesaving Award. This is one of the highest awards given by the American Red Cross to an individual who saves or sustains a life by using skills and knowledge learned in an American Red Cross Training Services course.
This action exemplifies the highest degree of concern of one human being for another who is in distress.
For their activity, Kim Geise, Toni Visco and Elliott Law have been awarded the American Red Cross Certificate of Extraordinary Personal Action.
After 107 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.
