Everyday Heroes Take Center Stage In Montgomery County

ROCKVILLE, Md. (WUSA) -- Shari Fast is alive and well to witness her loved ones receive an "Everyday Hero" award at Montgomery County's Government Center on September 21, 2009.

But in June, 2009, it was a different story when she collapsed after a usual jog with her friend Cathy Nerantzis.

"I collapsed and Cathy caught me," says Fast. The active woman in her forties experienced an episode of cardiac arrest after a heart artery ruptured.

Cathy started to perform rescue breathing. She learned some life-saving skills as a member of the student EMS team at Georgetown University. She also used her cell phone to call both her husband and William, Fast's husband. 9-1-1 was also called.

William arrived on the scene before the paramedics. He performed CPR, a skill he learned in 1986 at a work-related training course.

Nurse Kiersten Henry of Montgomery General Hospital worked on Fast's case. Henry says the quick response of friends and family was vital to Fast's outstanding recovery from cardiac arrest.

But not every hero's story has a positive ending. Northwood High School sophomore Thomas Miller performed chest compressions on a complete stranger, a pedestrian struck at the Four Corners area in August, 2009.

Miller says he got out of his friend's car and approached the scene of the accident. The pedestrian later died at the hospital.

At the awards ceremony, Montgomery County Fire Chief Richard Bowers and County Executive Isiah Leggett agree that the work of the "everyday hero" is invaluable to saving lives.