Bob Elling, a Paramedic faculty member and a 30-year volunteer with the American Heart Association, was honored by the organization on March 24.
“We named Bob Elling our New York State Advocate of the Year for his efforts to advance our public policy agenda,” said Michael Weamer, executive vice president, Founders Affiliate, American Heart Association. “Bob’s efforts over the years helped pass legislation to clarify that the Good Sam Law applies to all AED users, thereby alleviating liability concerns. This year, Bob is a driving force behind our efforts to make sure that all students learn CPR prior to graduation. Bob has been a tireless advocate for the AHA. He has met with lawmakers, recruited numerous volunteers and regularly been the face of the AHA in the media.”
Elling, who is a clinical instructor at Albany Medical Center working as a paramedic instructor at Hudson Valley Community College, also is a medic with Colonie EMS, and at Whiteface Mountain. He has authored several textbooks for paramedic students, often collaborating with his wife, paramedic Kirt Elling. Elling lives in Colonie.
Elling has volunteered with the American Heart Association for 35 years, as a CPR and Advanced Life Support instructor, on the regional faculty and national faculty. He serves on the Capital Region Advisory Board and the New York State Emergency Cardiovascular Care Committee of the American Heart Association.
“I’ve always enjoyed working with the AHA staff and volunteers,” Elling, who received the award on Tuesday, March 14, said. “We’re all in this to save lives. Teaching others to be EMTs and paramedics saves lives, but changing the laws will have the greatest impact on prevention. If everyone who graduates from high school learns CPR, we can be assured that the general public knows what to do if someone collapses with sudden cardiac arrest in front of them.”
“I’m honored to receive the advocacy award, but the real award that I’d like to receive is a copy of the CPR in Schools bill (S2491/A3980) signed by Gov. Cuomo this year,” Elling said. “That will save hundreds of New Yorkers’ lives!”
Published: Fri, 25 Mar 2011 00:00:00 +0000 by e.bryant