If you had the opportunity to save a life, would you be prepared?
You can be confident that you are well-prepared after taking part in a cardio pulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and defibrillator course for adults and children in Smiths Falls on Saturday, Nov. 24.
It’s a program sponsored by the Smiths Falls Fire Department, with Kingston trainer Mark Halladay.
“Over the last 25 plus years, Mark has provided first aid and CPR training for the firefighters and a number of businesses through the Kingston and surrounding areas,” said the town’s new fire Chief Rick Chesebrough, who is coming to the position from South Frontenac, where he worked with Halladay for a number of years.
“Since the public access defibrillators have come out, there has been a general interest from the public about courses … Mark has offered to provide a free CPR/defib course to the general public that’s certainly going to enhance the knowledge and skills.”
Halladay said he enjoys public classes. “The participants are very engaged,” he said.
With public access to defibrillators in arenas and a number of buildings, the chief said early recognition of a heart attack is key to survival.
“It’s giving the tools to the public with individuals out there with young children and families,” Chesebrough said. “It’s good public relations and it’s good business.”
By the time the ambulance gets to a situation where someone has suffered a heart attack, if someone has initiated CPR, there’s a greater possibility for a positive outcome, the chief said.
“Certainly every moment of delay reduces the amount of potential successful resuscitation.”
Halladay has certified 50,000-plus individuals in his career.
“He’s done large industries; he used to do the recert and training of the Hershey factory; he’d done a number of major industries in Kingston and surrounding areas as well as 15 to 20 different fire departments. He’s an exceptionally knowledgeable individual.”
Halladay started his career as a paramedic over 25 years ago. All of his courses are taught through the Canadian Red Cross and/or Heart & Stroke Foundation of Ontario (HSFO) and meet WSIB standards for First Aid and CPR. He can provide Emergency and Standard First Aid classes and all levels of CPR and defibrillation.
“There is no question as to his level of knowledge and skills,” Chesebrough said.
“Mark is very giving of his time and has an unbelievable passion, and the more people that have the knowledge the better it is for everybody.”
The chief said he has seen lots of trainers in his career, but every once in a while you come across someone special.
“Mark is a natural. He’s got that gift. He’s the type of individual that you could sit there during an eight-hour course and not get bored or nod off. He engages the people he’s teaching and involves everyone in it and provides a sense of humour when he’s doing his training with a realistic approach. He’s not just a book or PowerPoint person, and because of where his career started and where it is now, there are not too many things he hasn’t seen or done. We have the luxury of being able to hear his experiences and learn from them and take advantage of that knowledge. The nice thing — free knowledge, you can’t put a price on it.”
If you want a card at the end of the training, there is a $5 charge for printing. There is no price for the course itself, but there are only a few spots left.
Minimum age is 15 years old. Two sessions will be offered with 40 people per session. The morning session will run from 8 a.m. to noon, and the second session will be from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Register at the fire hall or visit www.sffd.ca or email training@sffd.ca.
Training will take place at the Smiths Falls Memorial Community Centre.
For more information on becoming certified through Halladay, visit https://www.markhalladay.com/.
Link to original article in InsideOttawaValley.com: Smiths Falls fire chief teams up with CPR trainer to offer free certification