Hertzberg’s Heroes: Vol. I, Issue V
James Brown of Lake Balboa Neighborhood Council
Welcome to Hertzberg’s Heroes! Every month, Team Hertzberg will highlight an organization or individual who exemplifies heroism through their dedication to making life better for the San Fernando Valley. Have a Hero to suggest? Submit your idea to Senator.Hertzberg@sen.ca.gov!
Late last year, James Brown walked into Senator Hertzberg’s Van Nuys office carrying large duffle bags with the American Red Cross logo imprinted on the side. There was no emergency- Mr. Brown was here to teach a CPR class to our district office staff. Soon after we welcomed him, he set out plastic dummies and AED machines, along with packets of comprehensive reading material.
Teaching CPR classes is a passion for James. For nearly three years, he has offered group CPR trainings to members of the San Fernando Valley community. While CPR trainings can typically cost around $100, James is proud to offer free 2-hour courses (with an optional $30 certification card). He opts to keep the classes free because of his firm belief that everyone should learn CPR.
As Vice President of the Lake Balboa Neighborhood Council and longtime resident of the San Fernando Valley, public safety is what drives James to teach CPR. James says that learning CPR can help keep your family and loved ones safe. Four out of every five cardiac arrest events happen right at home.
Currently, less than 20% of Los Angeles residents have received training in CPR. James sees this as a problem. Cardiac arrest is a medical emergency that requires immediate attention with CPR; according to the American Heart Association, about 350,000 Americans suffer from cardiac arrest outside of hospitals. James is motivated to help people in the San Fernando Valley learn to save lives: this has motivated him to train over 700 people in 2018.
When he teaches classes, his passion for keeping his community safer truly shows. During the class, Team Hertzberg had the chance to practice CPR on dummies, learn how to use an AED, and act out a scenario in which someone may need help. James has trained staff members of other local elected officials, neighborhood council board members, as well as larger classes that are free and open to the public.
To inquire about future CPR classes, please reach out to our district office at (818) 901–5588 and we will connect you with James.
