After his training saved a fellow Senator on overseas trip, Arthur Orr honored by Alabama Fire College

State Sen. Arthur Orr (R-Decatur) was honored in Decatur on Monday for his life-saving response to colleague State Sen. Tim Melson’s (R-Florence) cardiac emergency while on a state visit to South Korea last summer. The Alabama Fire College also thanked the lawmakers for expanding CPR training in public schools to include the use of automated external defibrillators and hands-on training.

That law was passed by the Alabama Legislature as the “Sen. Tim Melson Act”.

State Sen. Melson’s emergency occurred while the group was touring the demilitarized zone between North and South Korea. According to those present, the group became aware of the crisis when Melson began to turn purple. State Sen. Orr sprang into action and instructed others to help get Sen. Melson to the ground, began CPR along with another member who performed chest compressions, and continued CPR until another member could get an automated external defibrillator (AED).

Another member of the group, a former paramedic helped activate the defibrillator. They worked on State Sen. Melson for over 30 minutes until paramedics could arrive.

When lawmakers reconvened for the 2024 session, Alabama Senate colleagues celebrated Melson’s recovery and return to legislative duties; and Melson expressed his heartfelt appreciation for Orr’s fast action.

Nearly one year later, Alabama Fire College Executive Director Matt Russell said the incident is a good example of how CPR and AED training helps save lives.

“I’m sure Sen. Orr is like most people who have CPR training — he probably hoped he’d never have to use it,” Russell said. “But when an emergency happens, that important training kicks in. Knowing what to do and how to do it saves lives. Clearly in this case, Sen. Orr’s training made all the difference in the world.”

Russell said Sen. Orr’s recognition coincides with National CPR and AED Awareness Week, celebrated each year June 1-7. The week spotlights how lives can be saved if more Americans know CRP and how to use an AED.

State Sen. Donnie Chesteen (R-Geneva) also was on the trip and stressed the importance of having CPR and AED training, the Alabama Fire College says.

“Sen. Orr knew instinctively what to do — he never hesitated,” State Sen. Chesteen said. “If it had not been for Sen. Orr and the CPR he performed before we got the defibrillator, we’d be talking about a different outcome.”

The “Sen. Tim Melson Act” will begin in the 2024-2025 academic year. It bill was endorsed by the Alabama Medical Association to help schools prepare for cardiac emergencies and was signed into law by Governor Ivey.

The mission of the Alabama Fire College is to facilitate excellence in education, training, certification, and support services for the emergency response community.

Grayson Everett is the state and political editor for Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on Twitter @Grayson270