MRC Critical Care Paramedic Spearheads Programs to Provide CPR, Opioid Treatment Administration Training
Jim Bollenbacher is a retired critical care paramedic from Florida. He is passionate about all things related to the heart, especially cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).
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"Being part of the MRC allows me to give back to the community and use my medical training while doing it." - Jim Bollenbacher |
To increase the impact of Nassau County MRC's ongoing Community Life-Savers Initiative, he set a goal for his 36-person unit: raise local awareness about sudden cardiac arrest and increase the number of county residents able to effectively perform bystander CPR (CPR performed by a non-medical person) by 2% in 12 months. Based on Nassau County's population, that meant training 1,700 residents by the end of the year. This goal was aggressive goal, but Jim believed in his team. "The MRC is an organization of amazingly talented, experienced, and compassionate people who are prepared to help their communities during a crisis or disaster. That takes a special type of person, and the MRC is filled with them."
Bollenbacher arranged hundreds of classes, personally providing training anywhere there was an interest: HOAs, fitness centers, county offices, schools, farmers' markets, and faith-based, civic, and private family groups. By the end of the year, he had trained 1,724 residents in hands-only CPR and 817 in opioid treatment awareness and naloxone administration. He and his team also distributed 126 CPR Anytime Kits in the community - far exceeding his unit's goals.
"The MRC provides an incredible opportunity to be of service to your community, to help when others are in need, and to be a part of something so much bigger than yourself," said Jim "I strongly encourage everyone to get involved in whatever way they can."
The MRC Recognition Awards recognize and highlight amazing contributions of MRC units, volunteers, leaders, and partners. In 2024, there were hundreds of nominations in 12 categories - covering both response and non-response contributions. Learn more about the awards and the winners at Meet Our MRC Network. Learn how to become a part of the MRC and make a difference in your community at Become an MRC Volunteer.