“True heroism is remarkably sober, very undramatic. It is not the urge to surpass all others at whatever cost, but the urge to serve others, at whatever cost.” – Arthur Ashe

When faced with an emergency situation, many people naturally freeze or hesitate because they are not quite sure how to help. There are a select few, however, that have the instinct and preparedness to come to the service of someone else. Whether stranger or friend, making the split-second decision to act in an extreme circumstance is something notable.

In February 2021, John Dudas, Choate Construction’s Charlotte Division Manager, was awarded the Certificate of Extraordinary Personal Action by the American Red Cross. This award is presented to individuals who step up in an emergency situation to help save or sustain a life. Dudas did not hesitate to perform life-saving actions when a colleague and friend collapsed in the street. With this honor, he joins a select group of nationally recognized individuals who took decisive, life-preserving action in a time of extreme circumstances using skills learned in CPR training.

Safety is an integral part of the construction industry, yet so often is thought of only in the context of a jobsite. Ensuring our team is armed with the vital skills necessary to maintain safety no matter their location is a critical tenant of our OneLife program. The investment of training our employee-owners on how to save a life through CPR and First Aid plays a key role in the way we serve our communities – always being prepared with the knowledge and courage to act when presented with an emergency situation.

It’s our hope John’s heroic actions inspire others to get trained in the crucial skills that could save lives. To learn how you can become CPR certified, visit redcross.org/take-a-class.