On March 19th, Assistant Chief Androne presented a Lifesaving Award to Branden Barker at the Reading School Board meeting—a moment that highlighted the value of preparation, education, and community action. Branden, a senior at Reading High School, sprang into action on Sunday, February 23rd, when an emergency unfolded. Thanks to his quick thinking and confident response, the outcome was dramatically improved. Branden performed the Heimlich maneuver on a person choking, a skill he learned in his Introduction to Healthcare course. This is a powerful reminder of how important it is for members of our community—of all ages—to learn CPR and how to use an AED. Emergencies can happen anywhere, and the ability to act quickly can save a life.
The Reading Fire Department is committed to building a prepared community. We will be hosting a CPR/AED class soon—look for more information to come.
Congratulations, Branden, on this well-deserved recognition. Your actions are a testament to the power of knowledge and readiness.