Citizens Become ‘Community Heroes’

Barb Wilson was in the Federal Building in Oklahoma City on April 19, 1995, when Timothy McVeigh committed the most destructive act of terrorism on American soil until the 9/11 attacks.

On Saturday, Wilson was becoming a St. Charles County “Community Hero,” learning how she, as an average citizen, can help people in case of a disaster in our own hometown.

About 51 people stretched across the floor of Wentzville's  Banquet Center, caring for the top end of a dummy’s torso while getting step by step instructions in clearing airways and giving breaths of life.

The American Red Cross, with the help of a grant from the Edward Jones Foundation taught residents how to use an automated external defibrillator (AED) and perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).

Wilson, who is also a member of the O’Fallon Citizen Response Team, said the classes would definitely help her.

“I’m learning to save lives,” said Wilson.

Terri Violet, community liaison for the American Red Cross, one of the dozen or so volunteers who made the life saving training possible, said each year their organization partners with a different community to present the day-long event.

“The Edward Jones grant helps us provide the training at a very minimal cost, the community allows us to use their facilities free of charge and the residents learn to save lives,” Violet said. “That’s why we call it ‘Community Heroes.’ People are teaming together, learning to save lives or saving lives directly here to day by donating blood.”

Pam Riggle of said she came for the CERT (Community Emergency Response Training) and took advantage of the convenient opportunity to give blood.

“In the CERT training we worked with a ham radio to learn how we’d communicate in case of an emergency,” Riggle said. “It makes you think. What would we do if there was an earthquake or some other catastrophe?”

Michael Splitt, 19, of Troy, said he read that there was a blood donation opportunity, so he and his friend Matt Kayser, 20, of Wright City drove to Progress Park where the Red Cross Mobile Blood Drive van was stationed.

“I have plenty of blood to spare,” Splitt said. “So, I figure why not give to help someone else who needs it.”

Kayser added, “It’s a good thing to do.”

T.J. Runge sat near a specialized disaster vehicle welcoming those who wanted to get a look at what it had to offer.

“This is a great event,” said Runge. “There are so many volunteers helping to make this possible, and Mayor (Paul) Lambi has been extremely helpful to us."

Runge said lead instructor Hester Menier was heading the AED and CPR class, and doing a wonderful job.

“There are about 12 instructors, all volunteers,” Runge said. “There’s about four paid Red Cross staff, but we’re here just for logistics. The volunteers, those who take the life saving classes and those who give blood — they’re the ‘Community Heroes.”