Congressman Weller, Joliet Fire, unveil Partnership with SALF for Joliet Schools

February 11, 2005

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Right to left: Joliet Chief Bill Ohara - Cong Weller - Joliet School Superintendent Dr. Phyllis Wilson - Troy School Superintendent Larry Wiers - Carol Spizzirri - Joliet Captain Dave Brozman - Plainfield School
Superintendent Dr. John Harper
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Joliet, IL - At a press conference at M.J. Cunningham School Friday, Illinois Congressman Jerry Weller, Joliet Fire Chief Bill Ohara, Deputy Chief Larry Mores, Captain Dave Brozman, EMS Division Chief Steve Engeldow, and Carol Spizzirri Pres/Founder Save A Life Foundation (SALF) joined to announce a partnership between SALF and the Joliet Fire Department.  The Joliet Fire Department will administer the SALF programs as part of their existing F.A.S.T. (Fire Awareness Safety Team), which for 10 years has taught local school children "Stop-Drop and Roll" and other fire safety techniques.  The SALF program will teach Joliet students how to control bleeding, use an Automatic External Defibrillator (AED), perform CPR and perform the Heimlich maneuver.

Joliet School Superintendent Dr. Phyllis Wilson and Principal Nannette Ochs, Plainfield School Superintendent Dr. John Harper, Troy School Superintendent Larry Wiers and   100 Cunningham fourth graders applauded Congressman Jerry Weller (R) Morris. "In Congress, we're asked to do a lot of things. This was an easy sell. We in Congress hope to expand SALF's programs nationwide," Weller said.  "Young people are going to benefit from this training and possibly save the life of a family member or a friend," stated Weller.  Illinois Congressmen Jerry Weller, John Shimkus, Mark Kirk and Speaker Dennis Hastert co-sponsored the federal funds so SALF could bring these programs to children for free.  In turn the Joliet Fire Department has matched these funds with their volunteer services.

These life saving tools will empower our children to be more responsible citizens and eager to help the injured and ill with the new skills they've learned." Our children would not be armed against emergencies if it weren't for those visionaries who have secured the needed funds," Carol said.  "It's all about prevention and the best place to start is in the classroom," said Capt. Dave Brozman.

News Coverage:

First aid in fourth grade

Feb 12, 2005, Herald News - Joliet,IL

A program that teaches fire safety to youngsters will be expanded to include potentially lifesaving first-aid instruction. Fourth-graders at all schools in Joliet will be taught how to control bleeding, how to help someone ...