CONTACT: Sgt. Karla I. Ortiz
(310) 877-0044
LOS ANGELES AIRPORT POLICE OFFICERS RECOGNIZED BY LOS ANGELES FIRE DEPARTMENT (LAFD) 2013 PUBLIC ACCESS DEFIBRILLATOR (PAD) PROGRAM AWARDS CEREMONY
(Los Angeles, California – March 6, 2013) The Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) proudly hosted the 2013 Public Access Defibrillator (PAD) Program Awards Ceremony, where 20 Los Angeles International Airport and LA/Ontario International Airport Officers were recognized for saving lives by responding and helping cardiac arrest victims by using one of the City’s PAD Program defibrillators. The award ceremony was held on Thursday, February 28, 2013 at the LAFD, Frank Hotchkin Memorial Training Center.
The citywide PAD program was created to increase the survival rate from sudden cardiac arrest. Initially the program was restricted for use by medical doctors or highly trained fire department paramedics only. However, the Automated External Defibrillators (AED’s) were created so trained law enforcement officers and others have the necessary equipment to save lives.
In attendance along with Deputy Executive Director Arif Alikhan and Los Angeles Airport Police Chief Patrick M. Gannon, were Assistant Chief Ethel McGuire, Assistant Chief Michael T. Hyams, and Lieutenant Robert Rios. Speaking of his officers, Chief Gannon said, “I am proud of the efforts of the Airport Police and Security Officers in each of these incidents. Their quick action and their willingness to use these defibrillators saved lives and demonstrated their commitment to keep the traveling public safe.”
Certificates of appreciation and recognition were presented to the following officers for their acts of bravery and ultimate demonstration of public service; Los Angeles International Airport Police Officers George Chen, Nicholas Fasheh, Clayton Kadekawa, William Lara, Dana Ramsey, Daniel Morales, Steven Balandran, Christopher Unruh, Erica Andrade, Whilliam Hsu, Robert Mosquera, Thi Tran, Gerard Kilayko, Hans Bergmann, Airport Security Officer Polk Sherman Johnson.
Also recognized were Ontario International Airport Captain Wendell Callaway, Ontario International Airport Officers Erick Geihm, Gregory Giacomin, Robert Lecours and Matthew Patrick.
