CLARKSVILLE, Tenn (CLARKSVILLENOW) – Clarksville Fire Chief Montgomery presented the Lifesaver Award to employees at McReynolds-Nave & Larson Funeral Home after the two performed critical CPR on a co-worker who had collapsed.
Early in February, Tim Farrell, an employee at McReynolds-Nave & Larson, had not felt well but felt well enough to come back to work last week. After a funeral party left, Farrell began clutching at his chest and said he had trouble breathing before falling over.
Two coworkers, Tom Creech and Lance Powell, ran to Farrell’s aid as another called 911.
The 911 dispatcher talked them through the scary experience and jumped into action as they relayed Farrell went into distress.
“[She] was tremendous. She was super calm, patient, We didn’t know how all of this was unfolding but it was unfolding pretty quick,” Creech said. “When we relayed to the operator that he was turning purple and had quit breathing, she said ‘is anybody certified in CPR?’ We were not.”
The operator relayed instructions to another director, who told them how to perform chest compression and mouth-to-mouth. They performed roughly three cycles of CPR before the first responders showed up.
“I’m a man of faith, our business overall is,” said Creech “God let us kinda limp along until the professionals got there, really and truly. Our local first responders are tremendous. I can’t say enough about them. We probably had a dozen to fifteen people in our office.”
Creech and Powell said that they will be researching solutions to be prepared for future incidents, such as CPR courses for the staff and adding an AED machine.
“You know that possibility is out there, but you never think you’re gonna need it until something like this happens,” Creech said.
According to Creech and Powell, Tim Farrell is on the path to recovery, improving by the day. The pair expressed their gratitude at being able to help their co-worker.
“The good Lord let Tim work on Wednesday. Had he been off, like he normally is on Wednesday, he would have been at home, by himself, and we could be having a different story right now,” said Creech.
Fire Chief Freddie Montgomery expressed the importance of citizens like the employees at McReynolds-Nave & Larson in preventing tragedies from occurring.
“CFR was pleased to recognize Creech and Powell for their assistance in saving their co-worker’s life,” said Chief Montgomery. “We value our citizens and we understand that although we focus on a quick and effective response, it takes action from everyone to save a life in a true emergency when every second counts.”
CPR classes are available locally at several locations. Groups including the American Red Cross and YMCA routinely offer certification opportunities. The American Red Cross also has CPR steps available on their website.
