ATA managers receive CPR training

  • Published
  • By Shawn Jacobs
  • AEDC/PA
ARNOLD AIR FORCE BASE, Tenn. --  Aerospace Testing Alliance's (ATA) senior leadership team is now 100 percent trained in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and in the use of automated external defibrillators (AED).

The training, conducted by Tony Rollins of ATA Safety and Health, occurred in multiple sessions, the most recent of which was April 26. The decision to implement the training was spearheaded by Deputy General Manager Steve Pearson.

General Manager Dr. David Elrod said the need for the training was made evident to him by the dramatically different outcomes of two separate events that occurred Feb. 11. That day, a Precision Measurement Equipment Laboratory technician collapsed when his heart stopped without warning.

"His co-workers had all been trained in CPR and were able to immediately come to his aid with life-saving support," Dr. Elrod said. "Thankfully, that employee has since recovered and is back at work."

In a separate event that day, a family friend of Elrod's collapsed due to an apparent heart attack. No one nearby could render CPR, and that person did not survive.

Most of the ATA team had received CPR training in the past from various agencies, but it was somewhat dated and lacked coverage of AED usage.

"As a leadership team we believed it was important to update that training and include AED coverage," Dr. Elrod said. "It was just the right thing to do."

Dr. Ralph Jones, branch manager for the Technology and Analysis Branch (TE5) in the Integrated Test and Evaluation (TE) Department, was one of the mangers who took the training.

"You never know when you will be faced with an emergency health issue at work, with family or in other public settings and having this training prepares you to be able to respond in such circumstances," Dr. Jones said.

The list of those receiving certification recently includes Dr. David Elrod, Steve Pearson, Catherine Plunkett, Chip Stepanek, Scott Bartlett, David Eldridge, Mark Rigney, Debbie Bayer, Louis Vanacore, Sharon Carter, Christa Herron, Bart Jones, Lynn Moran, Doug Knowlton, Pat Eagan and Dr. Ralph Jones. Phil Stich is also current with his certification.

ATA's Safety and Health Office continues to offer CPR/AED training to interested employees.