Seasoned CPR trainers: Mary Hoover, Chris Andrews, Joy Marino (top row), Linda Savary and Marie Tiffany Spencer (bottom row).  (Mary Walz-Watson and Linda Fairbanks not pictured)

From left to right Rosalie Kelly, Kyle Harvey, Kerri Purcell, Beth Grady, Heather Drake, Theresa May, Bob Gray, and Kate Ames.  (Donna Ellis not pictured)

Andrews, Joy Marino, Linda Savary, Marie Tiffany Spencer, Linda Fairbanks, and Mary Walz-Watson for their dedication to training fellow staff to respond to emergencies and, in some cases, save lives of the people we support.

Are you a BCARC employee interested in becoming a Certified CPR/First Aid Instructor?  Please contact Linda Fairbanks, Director of Nursing, at 499-4241 Ext. 222.

employees every year in CPR.

   These dedicated BCARC employees teaching CPR and First Aid also save Berkshire County Arc a substantial amount of money, since it would cost BCARC $45-$50 per employee if they were trained by the American Red Cross. 

   The 15 BCARC CPR/First Aid Trainers come from various BCARC backgrounds and programs.  Three of these trainers are Registered Nurses and still perform trainings when their schedules allow.  The other trainers work in  BCARC’s day, residential, community, advocacy, and AEN programs, as well as in the agency’s main offices.

   BCARC thanks Rosalie Kelly, Kyle Harvey, Kerri Purcell, Beth Grady, Heather Drake, Theresa May, Bob Gray, Kate Ames, Mary Hoover, Chris

  If you are a BCARC employee you probably recognize one of the above from a a mandatory CPR or First Aid Training over the past year.  Berkshire County Arc not only requires its employees to be certified in both CPR and First Aid, but is also fortunate to have  employees who certify and prepare staff to respond to emergencies, ensuring the safety of the individuals they support.

  In the past, BCARC nursing staff taught CPR and First Aid, but with their already busy schedule it became increasing difficult for the nurses to schedule trainings. 

   BCARC staff from other programs are  now assisting the agency and the individuals it supports by completing a 40 hour certification course with the American Red Cross.  These staff teach three CPR classes and one First Aid class per month, training the majority of BCARC’s 510

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