The broadcasts will also feature a message from American Red Cross President and CEO Dr. Bernadine Healy. Meanwhile, host chapters from Topeka, Washington, to Taegu, Korea, will spend several hours of the day training CPR instructors to teach AED skills. The chapters will schedule their lessons around one of the two live broadcasts from Red Cross National Headquarters, depending on time zone. The instructors in our community are also neighbors, friends, loved ones and co-workers to many people. We want them to know they are an important part of the make-up of the American Red Cross.
Participants hope the nationwide training day has a ripple effect into the wider community.
Public awareness about the lifesaving possibilities of AEDs is a priority for the Red Cross, said Donita Woodall, health and safety manager at the Nashville Area Chapter. The more instructors who pass on this knowledge to their students, the more awareness we can bring to the general public. The nationwide training day is providing a unique way to accomplish an important skills upgrade. Phyllis Marvin, an AFES station manager in Aviano, Italy, said she was pleased to be part of the global training. This is a great opportunity for all our instructors to realize they are part of the worldwide American Red Cross, and that we continue to lead in providing health and safety education and training.