Letter To The Editor: WTPD CPR Classes Are Worth Your Time

LONG VALLEY, NJ — This letter to the editor was submitted by community member Eileen Sniffen:

Last evening, I was at the Washington Township Police Headquarters. Fortunately, I went on my own accord. No patrol car took me. There were no handcuffs involved. No inky fingers. I didn't even see the bars of a jail cell.

I went for a very empowering training in administrating CPR. It was headed by Sgt. James Burns, Cpl. Thomas Falleni, Cpl. Adam Feichter and PO. Ryan Olah. They were very professional but with personality.

These police officers taught us the correct way to perform chest compressions, breathing techniques and the use of an AED. It was a "hands on (the mannequin)" experience. This gave us just how it will feel if chest compressions are required.

Also covered was the use of Naloxone (narcan), in the event of an opioid overdose and the correct way to administer the Heimlich maneuver, for a choking victim.

They gave us very practical information. They prepared us for what we might encounter as a reaction to our actions. They explained what happens with a real victim (not just a cooperative mannequin). This way, we won't be surprised or concerned with a real life situation.

I now know how to handle an emergency involving cardiovascular failure. I am empowered to know how to instruct others to assist if a situation should arise. And how I can assist if someone else has already started administering CPR.

At the very least, we can familiarize ourselves of the locations of AEDs. They're everywhere, we just need to know where. So next time you're at the grocery store, the park, the mall, be looking for these yellow and red boxes. This way, we will already know where the devise is located, in the event it is needed.

Sgt. Burns leads these training classes every 6 months. If an attendee needs to be certified, Sgt. Burns and his team, will provide testing and documentation to be sent onto St. Clare's for a CPR card.

It was certainly worth a few hours of my life to possibly save another's.

Editors Note: The free CPR classes, held biannually, fill up fast. For questions about next year's class, contact Sgt. James Burns at jburns@wtpdmorris.org or at 908-876-8308.

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