By: Alana Mauger

This week, 11 people received the American Red Cross Certificate of Extraordinary Personal Action, or CEPA, for their heroic and lifesaving acts during two medical incidents in Southeastern Pennsylvania. The CEPA is awarded to people who step forward in an emergency situation to help save or sustain a human life.

“These individuals exemplify the mission of the Red Cross to prevent and alleviate human suffering in the face of emergencies,” said Guy Triano, CEO of Red Cross of Southeastern Pennsylvania. “We commend them for their willingness to help others in distress.”

The first award at the virtual ceremony on March 9 was presented to Jessica Halvorson. In 2012, Jessica was visiting friends in Philadelphia when one of them was injured by a vehicle during a hit-and-run accident. According to the detective on the scene, the man flew 15 feet in the air and 35 feet across the intersection of 39th and Chestnut Streets—just around the corner from the Red Cross House. 

Jessica quickly assessed the situation and told her friends to call 911. She applied pressure to the man’s head wound and verified that he was breathing independently and could move his limbs. Then EMS arrived and resumed care.

The next awards were presented to 10 people who acted together to help save a man’s life when he had a cardiac incident in Montgomery Township. On October 23 last year, a customer found the man hunched over a counter, unresponsive, in a retail establishment. Michael Kleban, an employee and firefighter, moved the man to the floor, began CPR, and told the customer to call 911. 

That’s when members of Squad 18 from the Montgomery Township Department of Fire Services (Carmen Conicelli, Frank Colelli, Kevin Neubert, and Eoghan Lowry) sprang into action. They arrived on location, took over CPR and rescue breathing, and used an automated external defibrillator (AED) to administer shocks. 

Next, two ambulance crews from the Volunteer Medical Corps of Lansdale arrived. Shannon Pasquale, Jeff Owler, Mike Shearer, Derek Kreyenhagen and Mike Rennard assisted with CPR, AED, and rescue breathing. They deployed the LUCAS machine (a chest compression device) and administered medication.

The efforts of all 10 of these people resulted in the man regaining his pulse and breathing before being transported to a local hospital.

Lifesaving Award program

The Red Cross Lifesaving Awards program comprises four awards. The oldest and most prestigious Red Cross award is the Certificate of Merit, signed by the U.S. President. The Lifesaving Award for Professional Responders and Healthcare Professionals is given to trained people who respond to emergencies as part of their work. The Certificate of Extraordinary Personal Action goes to people who lack Red Cross training but who step up during an emergency. Finally, the Lifesaving Instructor Award is given to instructors who teach the skills that help save or sustain lives. 

You can nominate and recognize a person or group who have used the skills and knowledge gained in Red Cross training courses to help save or sustain a life. Visit LifesavingAwards.org to get started. 

Primary image description: Recipients of the American Red Cross Certificate of Extraordinary Personal Action are shown in a screenshot during the virtual Lifesaving Awards ceremony on March 9, 2021.