NOTS Logistics Coworkers Honored with American Red Cross Lifesaving Awards After Saving a Teammate’s Life
NOTS Logistics held a special ceremony along with the American Red Cross this week to honor three coworkers whose lifesaving efforts, decisive actions and Red Cross training saved the life of another employee on January 16, 2025. Representatives from the American Red Cross were onsite to present nationally recognized Lifesaving Awards, the organization’s highest honors for individuals who use their training to save or sustain a life.
The ceremony was led by Dawn Morris, South and West Central Illinois Executive Director for the American Red Cross, who shared remarks about the significance of these awards, the importance of CPR, First Aid, and AED training, and the courageous actions that took place that day.
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Life-Saving Response at NOTS Logistics
On January 16, 2025, a NOTS Logistics employee alerted a coworker that he felt light-headed before suddenly collapsing. Supervisor Curtis Matlock was immediately notified and responded within seconds. Upon reaching the employee, Curtis found that he was not breathing and had no pulse.
Curtis quickly directed coworkers Brad Dickneite and Nichole Groff to call 911 and retrieve the onsite AED and first aid kit. As Brad placed the emergency call and Nichole brought the AED, Curtis assessed the employee’s airway, prepared the device, and began CPR. He utilized the AED and continued CPR while waiting for EMS to arrive.
Because of the teams’ rapid action, lifesaving effort, and adherence to their Red Cross training, the employee regained a pulse before being transported to the hospital. The coworker was later released to recover from a previously undiagnosed heart condition, an outcome made possible by Curtis, Brad, and Nichole’s immediate and skilled response.
Award Recipients
The American Red Cross presented the following honors:
Curtis Matlock: Lifesaving Award for Professional Responders
Brad Dickneite: Certificate of Extraordinary Personal Action
Nichole Groff: Certificate of Extraordinary Personal Action
Commitment to Training and Preparedness
“We are incredibly proud of Curtis, Brad, and Nichole,” said Andy Kirchner, President and CEO. of NOTS Logistics, who provided opening remarks at the ceremony. “Their actions reflect the very best of who we are as a company, prepared, trained, and committed to taking care of one another. The presence of AEDs in all of our buildings is something I was inspired to do years ago by my friend and mentor, Ron Rubin, who impressed upon me the life-saving power of readiness. What happened here is a powerful reminder of how critical these devices are and why CPR, First Aid, and AED training matter.”
NOTS Logistics maintains on-site AEDs, provides regular safety and emergency-response training, and continues to partner with leading organizations like the American Red Cross to ensure coworkers are equipped to act and perform actions such as this lifesaving effort in critical situations.
