Right Place, Right Time: CPR & AED Training Saves Lives

Tommy Faxon was in the right place at the right time the morning of June 9. Faxon, owner of Tommy Faxon Excavation, was displaying symptoms of a heart-related emergency while unloading a tanker at Peckham’s PARCO terminal at Union Street in Athens, New York. 

Scott Pooters, our Liquid Division Manager, was nearby as this was happening, along with fellow members Joe Sisto and Ahron Young. Sisto, alongside an acquaintance of Tommy who works as a Columbia County 911 dispatcher, performed chest compressions while they waited for EMS to arrive. In fact, Pooters hooked Faxon to one of the on-site AEDs and administered a shock based on instructions from the device. The efforts of this well-trained trio had allowed Faxon to be revived twice prior to the arrival of EMS staff—before he was even transported to the hospital. Later that day, Peckham received word Tommy had successfully undergone surgery and was recovering. Because of their in-depth knowledge, Pooters, Sisto, and Young had saved a life. 

Peckham asked Amalio Jusino (AJ), our First Aid, CPR, and AED trainer to stop by for a post-event briefing. He shared bountiful insight, saying the following:  “Let this resonate, as yesterday in speaking with these gentlemen I felt true appreciation for their commitment to a human life, the focus of their training, and the emotion that they expressed. A flawless execution of patient care, and empathy to another human.”  “Next to creating a life, the finest thing a man can do is save one.” — Abraham Lincoln 

Currently, Faxon is home recovering and has informed dispatch that he plans on returning to his business—adding that he “feels great to be alive.” Peckham hopes that this story brings attention to our extreme pride knowing that as the result of our investment in training and AEDs, as well as the willingness of our members, a second life was saved at Peckham Industries. (The first, being our ready-mix driver Bobby Ryan, in Shaftsbury, Vermont, just over three years ago.) 

We also hope that this story motivates each Peckham member and the public to either double down on your commitment to First Aid/CPR/AED training, or to enroll in the next class that’s available.  Whether it’s at work, home, or out in public, you likely will experience a medical emergency…will you be ready?

As Peckham Vice President Bob Yaremko, commented:  “We all should be so proud of the actions taken by Scott, Joe and others in Athens to save Tommy’s life. It is an incredible outcome due to the training we have done for decades with members and AED units we have throughout the company.” 

Pictured above are Joe, Scott, and Ahron.

Watch the video below to learn more about this story.

Watch the video below to learn more about Bobby Ryan’s story from 2019.