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Airport Police Officer and Employee Save a Life

Quick actions of Phoenix Police Officer Richard Hejna and Prospect Airport Services employee, Rachel McCarthy are credited with saving another employee’s life. Earlier this month, a call was made by McCarthy from Terminal 2 to the Phoenix Fire Department. She had noticed that her co-worker was having difficulty breathing. While on the phone to the Fire department, McCarthy began lifesaving efforts.

Officer Hejna responded to the medical call and arrived on the scene to find the patient having a severe allergic reaction and not breathing. He began chest compressions on the young man. After about 100 chest compressions, the patient began breathing again. A rescue crew from Phoenix Fire Station 19 arrived on site, continued lifesaving efforts and transported the man to the hospital. He has since recovered.

The Fire Department credits Officer Hejna and McCarthy for saving the employee’s life. Deputy Fire Chief Beth Hendel quoted medics on the scene as saying everyone did a great job in assisting the patient.

Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport prides itself in training employees and volunteers to administer CPR and properly use Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) should the need arise. To date, more than 2,000 Airport employees and volunteer Navigators have been trained. There are currently more than 85 AEDs available at Sky Harbor as well as Phoenix Deer Valley and Phoenix Goodyear Airports, located in various public spaces and employee work areas as well as carried by Phoenix Airport Bureau police officers and firefighters.

First posted: 4/18/2011