Rep. Gerald Fox, III Receives First Hands for Life Award

State Representative Gerald Fox, III (D-146) recently received the first-ever Hands for Life Award. Fox, a Stamford resident and local attorney, is House Chair of the Judiciary Committee, currently serving his fourth term in the House of Representatives.

The award recognizes Fox’s long-time support of the state’s Good Samaritan laws, including helping to update the law during the 2012 legislative session as part of the city’s Hands for Life® education effort, which is designed to help Stamford become a truly heart-safe community.  This award was presented during a “train the trainers” session for CPR and AED trainers as part of the pre-event activities for Hands for Life® Stamford 2012, which is scheduled to take place on August 25, 2012 from 8 am to 6 pm at Chelsea Piers CT in Stamford.  The event aims to train 10,000 people in hands-only CPR and the use of AEDs (the paddles of life) in one day to set a new world record.

“I am proud to support our Good Samaritan laws, particularly as they relate to CPR and AED training,” said Rep. Fox.  “I believe these laws should encourage trained individuals to feel as though they can step in and help without fear of liability, and that will save more lives.”  Fox added that he plans to attend the August 25 event so he can be trained in hands-only CPR and the use of an AED.

”Rep. Fox’s support for the Good Samaritan law epitomizes the spirit behind the law -- providing protection from liability to encourage the general public to step up and apply life-saving CPR and defibrillation with confidence,” said Anne Fountain, Stamford’s Director of Health and Social Services and Steering Committee Co-Director for Hands for Life, who presented the award with a group of cardiac event survivors from the community.  “This is exactly what being a Good Samaritan is all about, and all of us in the State of Connecticut thank him for his work,” she concluded.

The goal of Hands for Life® Stamford 2012 is to train 10,000 adults in the greater Stamford area encompassing lower Fairfield County in hands-only CPR (Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation) without mouth-to-mouth and the use of AEDs (automated external defibrillators), over the course of ten hours. Training each wave will only take 15 minutes from start to finish. All adults, their friends and their children can join in as individuals or on teams.

Participants are encouraged to form and register as teams by neighborhood, organization and business. Free group transportation to Chelsea Piers Connecticut will be provided from several central locations in Stamford.  Parking also will be available at the Chelsea Piers facility.  Logistical details are posted at www.handsforlife.org. All who attend will be eligible for door prizes during the August 25 event.

The Hands for Life® Stamford 2012 volunteer committee is made up of diverse, experienced civic and business leaders from the Stamford area’s medical, municipal, corporate, neighborhood, and not-for-profit organizations who are committed to the health and vitality of the City.  Enthusiastic committee members and supporters include Stamford Mayor Michael Pavia, Stamford EMS, Stamford Hospital, Co-program directors Dr. Thomas Nero, interventional cardiologist and Anne Fountain, Stamford Director of Public Health, and many more. The Chelsea Piers organization is generously donating the use of its new Stamford facility.  Major sponsors include the Herbert & Nell Singer Foundation, CL&P, The Emily Hall Tremaine Foundation, the City of Stamford, Stamford Hospital Foundation, Gen Re, and Stamford Emergency Medical Services.