By Reporter staff

The Jewish Federation of Greater Binghamton’s Safety and Security Committee and the Jewish Community Center will hold a program on how to use an automatic defibrillator and perform CPR on Wednesday, September 25, from 6:30-9:30 pm, at the Jewish Community Center, 500 Clubhouse Rd., Vestal. Additional sponsors of the program include the Sisterhoods of Beth David Synagogue, Temple Concord and Temple Israel. The program is free and open to the entire community. To register for the program, click here, or contact the Federation office at 607-724-2332 or director@jfgb.org.

“This is really a continuation of our Stop the Bleed program,” said Shelley Hubal, executive director of the Federation. “After the program, people mentioned that they had AEDs in their building, but no one knew how to use them. We decided it would be a great idea to offer a class in their use and how to perform CPR.”

“At the JCC, the safety and well-being of our community is a top priority,” said Raychel Reilly, COO of the Jewish Community Center. “We are honored to partner with our friends at the Federation to offer a free CPR and AED class to members of our community. This initiative ensures the greater Jewish community is equipped with the necessary skills to provide this vital layer of protection in an emergency situation.”

“Training sessions, like this CPR/AED class, offer an opportunity to learn and practice basic life saving skills,” said Steve Malkin, chairman of the Federation’s Safety and Security Committee. “As someone already at the scene, you will be able to respond, act and support a life until professional first responders can arrive. You could save the life of a child or adult, stranger or friend, or even a member of your own family. Experience using an AED or knowing how to perform CPR enables you to act – on your own or while being coached by a 911 dispatcher. What would you do to save a life? Nothing is not an answer.”