The city of Garland offers training for its employees in a variety of areas, which can lead to professional development, promotions, pay raises and sometimes an opportunity to save a life.
On the evening of Saturday, Feb. 27, a guest collapsed on the dance floor during a wedding reception at The Atrium at the Granville Arts Center. Having been trained in CPR/AED/First Aid by the city of Garland, Matt Hosek, Events Coordinator for The Atrium, knew exactly what to do. Matt immediately found the building’s AED (Automatic Electronic Defibrillator) and ran into the ballroom to render aid to the unconscious guest. An AED is located in each city facility and training is available to all city employees.
Utilizing his recent training, Matt looked for all the signs that the guest had stopped breathing and that the use of CPR and the AED would be needed; he and another guest then initiated CPR compressions. After confirming that someone had called 911, Matt deployed the AED and revived the guest.
Happily, the party guest survived this traumatic event. Had it not been for the immediate and decisive actions taken by Matt Hosek and the education he had received through the city’s CPR/AED/First Aid training, this celebratory event could have ended tragically.
Mayor Douglas Athas and members of the Garland City Council conveyed a Special Recognition upon Matt during the April 5 council meeting.
Information and photo provided by city of Garland.