www.insideHALTON.com | OAKVILLE BEAVER | Friday, May 1, 2015 | 8 Town of Oakville honours the lifesavers in its ranks by David Lea Oakville Beaver Staff Fifteen Town staff and residents picked up Lifesaving Certificates of Recognition Monday in honour of their quick actions and heroic efforts to save lives. Those recognized responded to emergencies in recent years at the River Oaks Community Centre, Oakville Transit Facility, Sir John Colborne Recreation Centre for Seniors, and Joshua's Creek Arenas. "We are going to recognize some very extraordinary people for their extraordinary personal acts of courage, who saved lives at our Town facilities," said Mayor Rob Burton. "Often in an emergency, it's people like these who will respond, and if you are the one having the emergency, it's people like these you'll be glad do. You will see truly selfless acts of bravery at moments of this type, when they rush to the scene and perform lifesaving first-aid for those first critical moments until EMS can arrive." Burton said quick thinking and teamwork led to happy endings in all four incidents. The first was at the River Oaks Community Centre in June 2011 when a member of the centre's Mature Adults Club had a cardiac arrest Fifteen Town of Oakville staff members and residents earned Lifesaving Certificates from the Town Monday for actions they took within their workplaces to save lives of members of the public who experienced emergencies while at Town-operated facilities. The awards were handed out Monday at Town Hall. | photo by Jayson Mills - special to the Beaver during a badminton game. "Town staff Bob Pawliw, Larry Espinola, Alan Goulart, Janet Scarrow and Tony Luis did not hesitate," said Burton. "The situation was critical and together they took the situation under control -- administering CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation), using the AED (Automated External Defibrillator), and calling 911. The member is back playing badminton and pickle ball." At the Oakville Transit facility last November, Town employee Debbie Dalle Vedove went to aid of an Oakville Transit driver who collapsed while walking in the building's main hallway. She began CPR and directed others to call 911 while Transit employee Connie Benner assisted with the AED. They revived the man who was taken to hospital and has since recovered following successful heart surgery. At the Sir John Colborne Recreation Centre for Seniors, in January, a member had a cardiac arrest while playing cards. "Staff members Julie Pennal and Nancy Beddoe, and volunteer Don Lyons, quickly responded to the emergency by administering CPR and the AED," said the mayor. "Volunteer Kathryn Hamel and staff member Nicole Wedgerfield made the 911 call and helped keep the area clear of patrons. Thanks to their efforts, the 91-year-old member is back playing his weekly card game at the centre." In February at Joshua's Creek Arenas, a hockey player experienced a cardiac arrest. Teammate Raj Kandola began CPR. Facility operators Dave Comeau and Andrew Brodie deployed the AED, called 911 and directed EMS to the scene. The hockey player survived after being taken to hospital and undergoing heart surgery. All of the Town's buildings are equipped with at least one AED. All 42 AEDs are registered with Halton EMS so when someone calls 911, the dispatcher will be able to tell them the location of the AED in the building. The Town has more than 250 staff trained in CPR and the use of its AEDs. DIAMOND 100% NATURAL INGREDIENTS Celebrate Cinco de Mayo with FRESH & MaDe DELICIOUS NaChoS FreSh $ 5 Burritos Tuesday, May 5th only 55 *See in store for details Spring Sale 4 FLOORS OF FURNITURE & HOME DECOR 289-837-0111 thehabanero.ca Located Across the Street from Sheridan College on Trafalgar Rd. 1289 Marlborough Court, oakville Zoë, Grade 11. Current HSC Arts Scholar, future headliner. Proudly Supporting Canadian Manufacturers 217 Lakeshore Rd. E., Downtown Oakville Since 1953 Hillfield Strathallan College is an independent day school for Montessori Toddler and Pre-Kindergarten to Grade 12. Join us for our Open House on Wednesday, May 6. Call 905-389-1367, or visit www.hsc.on.ca, for details. 905.844.3530 www.swissinteriors.com