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"Yvonne Johnson (left), Cherokee Nation training instructor, demonstrates to Sam NoFire (right) the correct way to apply chest compressions during CPR." TAHLEQUAH, OKLAHOMA - Cherokee Nation employee Sam NoFire now knows how to save lives in an emergency, thanks to training he received from the tribe’s EMS service. The 85-year-old NoFire was one of 24 students who recently completed CPR training offered through the Cherokee Nation Emergency Medical Services training program. “I was very interested in taking this class,” said NoFire, who is a long-time employee of the Cherokee Heritage Center. “This is a good thing to learn at any age.” The training class covered emergency techniques in CPR, Automated External Defibrillator (AED) and First Aid training. According to the American Heart Association, an average of 1,000 adults die from sudden cardiac arrest each day in the United States. Studies have repeatedly shown early CPR and AED use is an integral part of providing lifesaving aid to people who suffer from sudden cardiac arrest, and defibrillation from an AED within the first minute of can improve survival rates by 90 percent. However, with each minute of delay until defibrillation, the survival rate drops by 10 percent. “Our goal is to train as many participants as possible in CPR, First Aid and proper use of AED’s within the Cherokee Nation,” said Jimmy Summerlin, Cherokee Nation EMS training supervisor. The Cherokee Nation EMS training program offers several courses each month, including adult, pediatric, and healthcare provider CPR techniques, AED training and first aid training. Classes are open to the public and healthcare professionals for a minimal fee. For more information on Cherokee Nation EMS Training program, visit Cherokee Health online and/or call 918-453-5200.

Related Cherokee Nation contact information:

Mike Miller, Cherokee Nation Director of Communications Phone: 918-456-0671 (ext.2210) Fax: 918-458-5580 E-mail: Communications@cherokee.org Larry Daugherty, Advertising Manager Cherokee Nation - Public Affairs Phone 918-456-0671 (Ex.2324) E-mail: ldaugherty@cherokee.org

Steven Swogger, Agriculture Liaison Natural Resources Department Phone: 918-456-0671 (ext.2546) FAX: 918-458-7673 E-mail: sswogger@cherokee.org Bradley D. Peak, Cherokee Nation Natural Resources Specialist Phone: 918-456-0671 (ex.2843) E-mail: bpeak@cherokee.org