ALBANY — Sometimes, the difference between life and death is measured in minutes.
That was the case recently when several court officers worked swiftly to save a man’s life.
New York State Court of Claims employees noted that on that day, a judge from the Supreme Court Appellate Division came by the clerk’s office during a retirement party to say goodbye.
As workers shared workplace memories over cake, suddenly, they heard a thud.The judge had collapsed.
As workers called 911 and the security desk, several CSEA members led the lifesaving response.
Michele Stiffler, a principal office assistant who had undergone CPR training, and court officer Capt. Mike Harte were the first workers to reach the justice. They were loosening his shirt when Officer Connie Smith, an EMT and CPR instructor, arrived.
Also helping in the response was CSEA member and Chief of Security Frank Costello.
“He was down. No pulse, no breathing,” said Smith.
After three minutes of using the court-provided AED, his heart rhythm came back.
By the time the ambulance arrived, he was beginning to communicate. After surgery and rehab, the judge is back to work and grateful for the group’s efforts.
“He came in to see us and just to see him here, back in the office, doing well, was so amazing,” said Stiffler.
Responding to high-pressure incidents is an extension of the job for court officers around the state.
“They are our security net,” said Stiffler. “We count on them for our safety.”
“We’ve been getting kudos for this, and in some ways, it makes me a little uncomfortable,” said Smith. “I look at it that ‘this is our job. This is what we do.’”
“I’m always so proud of the way our members step up and step in to help,” said Local President Nicole Ventresca-Cohen.
— Therese Assalian
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