CPR being taught to workers nationwide

Jamell Fetter had not yet received First Aid/CPR/AED training from the American Red Cross through his employer, Estes Express Lines. But the Toledo man had already used CPR to save a co-worker’s life.

“I sat in on classes with my sisters and my friends who had to do all their certifications online,” he said. “I never had any formal training. Just watching the videos.”

Jamell said he was at a company lunch event in September, 2020 when he saw coworker Mark Benschoter on the floor, lifeless.

“I wasn’t thinking about it until afterwards, and I just knew he needed help, and I was there.”

Mark is back on the job, working every day with Jamell. “He is my personal security guard,” Mark said. “Every time we have a function, people will not let him go home until I do. He has to stay until I leave.”

After learning of Jamell’s lifesaving actions, company officials asked the Red Cross to provide First Aid/CPR/AED training to all managers, supervisors and directors at its facilities across the country.

“It’s a great project,” said Tom Zahler, director of corporate training and development for Estes Express Lines, based in Richmond, Virginia. “We’re really grateful we’re partnering with the Red Cross.”

Tom visited Toledo on the day Jamell was presented with the certificate of extraordinary personal action at the headquarters of the Red Cross of Western Lake Erie in Toledo. The award is presented to individuals for selfless and humane action using lifesaving skills.

“We’re training supervisors and above to be sure that someone on every shift, every day is available, should another event like this happen.”

Although Jamell isn’t at the supervisor level, he is being included in the training being provided by Estes Express Lines.

“It’s working,” Tom said. “We hear stories all the time about people who are there when something happens.”

Information about First Aid/CPR/AED training is available at redcross.org /take-a-class.

Hear Jamell, Mark and Tom tell the story on our podcast, Be A Hero.

Posted by Ryan Lang, Red Cross board member and volunteer