Proof that CPR and safety training matters: One school bus driver in Florida credits her training for her quick-thinking CPR that kept her fellow bus monitor alive until emergency responders could help.

Pat King, a driver for Durham School Services, was honored for her heroism in performing life-saving CPR on her fellow bus monitor during a sudden medical emergency. She received the “Frontline Hero Award” from Durham School Services.

King performed CPR for approximately 20 minutes while waiting for medical staff to arrive, and it was this reason that the monitor is still alive and recovering today. 

“That’s the first thing I saw, it was that dummy that we have to do the training on,” King said during an interview with Action News JAX. “Her chest wasn’t moving. I listened for her heartbeat, heard nothing. She’s my friend, you know. She wasn’t breathing. I had to do something. I couldn’t just let her lay there.”

All Durham School Services school bus drivers are required to participate in safety trainings. In Florida, they also must take courses to obtain five safety certifications, including CPR/first aid, identifying and reporting child abuse, seizure training, human trafficking training, and Florida-mandated reporter course training. Team members are re-certified for CPR training every two years.

"We are glad Pat is getting the recognition she very much deserves," said Brad Kerrigan, area general manager for Durham School Services. "She is a hero, and we were extremely proud to present her with an award and witness her gain further recognition from the community for her life-saving actions. Instances like these prove the importance and need for safety trainings such as CPR/first aid and further demonstrates our company’s commitment to safety."