Page 14 - Work Force May 2023

“It was very scary:” custodian saves child
MILLER PLACE — For Miller Place School District Custodian Dan Cuoco, a recent student lunch break at Andrew Muller Primary School began like most others.
After he finished performing his duties, he took a quick moment
to visit with the children before proceeding with the rest of the day.
On that day, Cuoco noticed that one of the seventh graders was choking.
“I saw [the child] making faces and at first I thought he was trying to make me laugh,” said Cuoco. “Then, he started pointing to his throat as tears were streaming down his face.”
Cuoco immediately went to the side of the table where the student was seated and performed the Heimlich Maneuver on him.
“It happened so quickly that I don’t think anyone knew what was going on until they saw me behind him,” said Cuoco.
Cuoco was already familiar with
the Heimlich Maneuver based on his prior training as a medical assistant. He built on that knowledge when
he took a voluntary course in the fall, thinking there might be some updated information.
“Luckily, that was all still fresh in my mind,” said Cuoco.
For his heroic deed, Cuoco was presented with a certificate at a recent Miller Place Board of Education meeting.
“I was shocked when I found out I was going to be recognized,” said Cuoco. “I just really hope I never have to do it again. It was very scary.”
Cuoco believes that everyone should be properly trained to perform Heimlich Maneuver because he said performing it without training could cause injury.
He added that he thinks people should want to be in the position to help a person in need, especially if it’s a child.
From left to right, Miller Place School District Unit member Dan Cuoco, Syen McDaniel, and Andrew Muller Primary School Principal Laura Gewurz pose at a recent district Board of Education meeting at which Cuoco was honored for saving McDaniel’s life.
“I have a son and if he were choking in the middle of the cafeteria, I would hope that someone
was there who could step in to help,”
said Cuoco.
— Wendi Bowie
Summary of April Board of Directors Meeting
Editor’s Note:
The Work Force publishes a summary of actions taken by CSEA’s Board of Directors. The summary
is prepared by
CSEA Statewide Secretary Richard
Bebo for union members.
ALBANY — CSEA’s Statewide Board of Directors met on April 12, 2023. In official business, the board:
• Approved Western NY DDSO Local 425 to enter into a copier agreement between United
Business Systems located at 7 • Willowdale Drive, West Seneca,
N.Y. 14224. The lease is for five
(5) years commencing April
1, 2023, to March 31, 2028. As
this lease term runs past the • local officers’ current term, the board’s approval is necessary
for this lease.
Approved the Audit Committee report to the board of April 12,
2023.
• Approved the American Arbitration Association as the independent election agency for the CSEA 2024 elections
of Statewide Officers, Region Officers, Statewide Board
of Directors and AFSCME Delegates.
Approved the 2023-2024 Election Schedule for CSEA Statewide Officers, Region Officers, Statewide Board of Directors, and AFSCME Delegates. Approved the appointments
to region Political Action Committee as follows: Eric Faraone, Local 880 (Long Island Region); Jacqueline Crawford, Local 443 and Jackie Evans, Local 401 (Metropolitan Region); Bill Alund, Local 801; Mike
Duda, Local 801; Pat Thorpe, Local 801 and Ed Pizzigati,
Local 801 (Capital Region); and Tom Arquitte, Local 851; Megan Brewer, Local 832; John Ellis, Local 805; Veronica Griggs, Local 100A and Steve Jeter, Local 602
(Western Region).
• Approved to reclassify the
Director of Member Engagement (M/C 9A) position to Deputy Director of Membership (M/C 8).
• Approved to create an Occupational Safety and Health Specialist position (FSA 15/18/20) located in Southern Region 3.
• Approved the Budget Committee report to the board of April 12, 2023.
Questions concerning the summary should be directed to Statewide Secretary Richard Bebo, CSEA Headquarters, 143 Washington Ave., Albany, NY 12210. (800) 342-4146 or (518) 257-1253.
Bebo •
14 The Work Force
May 2023