We're Prepared for a Dramatic Event!

4/30/2026

by Karen Huie

A group of older adults are seated facing away from the camera. We are looking at three uniformed members of the FDNY CPR unit who are on stage with a video cued up on a tv. There are CPR mannequins on the red-carpeted floor in front of the stage.

Students are gathered in EAG's Guild Hall for a CPR class. (photo by Rebecca Lovett)

Cardiac Arrest is high on the dramatic scale of events. Actors from EAG came to learn what to do during such an episode. A team of three FDNY officers brought video, mannequins, knowledge, and patience to answer questions. We watched instructive videos that were further expounded on, and were hit with spot quizzes to confirm what we learned.

Students listen to the FDNY CPR Unit instructor in EAG's Guild Hall. CPR training mannequins are laid out on the red carpeted floor between the seated students and the instructor.

Instructor from the FDNY CPR Unit demonstrates the proper form to be used when attempting to resuscitate someone, using the heel of the dominant hand on the person's sternum with both hands clasped, elbows locked, weight forward.

Uniformed FDNY CPR Unit instuctors talk our students through their hands on attempt at CPR on the provided training mannequins. Students are kneeling next to the mannequins on the red-carpeted floor facing away from the camera.

A HEART ATTACK is a blockage of blood flow. CARDIAC ARREST is when the heart stops beating. Eight mannequins of varying ethnicities (like our FDNY officers) were laid out on the floor. We each had the opportunity to do 2 minutes of compression to the tune of The Bee Gees’ “Staying Alive” because it has 100 beats per minute, the desired rate of compression to administer to a victim.

I hope this entices you to seek out a CPR class, which are given all over the city. It was very empowering!

Thank you Rebecca Lovett and Joanna Newman for hosting!

A woman with short white hair wearing a long taupe cardigan and black pants kneels next to a CPR training mannequin. A man with grey hair and a grey beard, wearing a black sweatshirt and black pants, is also kneeling next to the mannequin and perfroming chest compressions. Uniformed FDNY instructors stand by to observe.

EAG Council members Anstice Carroll and Vincent Marano demonstrate their CPR skills to the rest of the class (photo by Rob Donohoe)

Students and FDNY instructors smile for a selfie following a successful class (photo by Joanna Newman)

We're Prepared for a Dramatic Event!

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