09/27/2025
SOUTH LOCKPORT volunteer firefighter takes action in the air
By Heidi Truschel
Union-Sun and Journal
When flight attendants called for medical assistance during a recent flight from Orlando to Buffalo, Fire Captain Brandon Orlikowski of South Lockport Fire Company knew it was not a drill.
“I was sitting in a window seat,” Orlikowski said of his flight on Sept. 5. “I ended up leaping over a lady.”
Orlikowski said an elderly woman was in distress and her daughter was calling for help. He said it quickly became clear that the woman was having a heart attack.
A physician had also responded, Orlikowski said, and began performing chest compressions.
“I got the oxygen bottle ready while he was doing compressions and got the AED,” he said. “We were going to be switching out when she started to come to after five rounds. Once we got the mask, the oxygen was put on her. She was talking by the end of the flight.”
The flight attendant told passengers to hold on to Orlikowski and the physician because they were on the floor.
“I was kneeling as we landed,” he said. “We weren’t in a safe position. We had our emergency landing and the medics were ready,” he said.
Meg Rossman, communications manager for the American Red Cross Western New York Chapter, wanted to hear every detail of the situation when called about the availability of CPR training for the public.
“I commend both of them,” Rossman said. “To me, the Red Cross provides this training, but it’s up to folks to decide to step in.”
“As a first responder, obviously I didn’t think twice about getting up,” Orlikowski said. “Knowing CPR can not only save your family members but also the person next to you. You don’t need to be an EMT to know CPR. I feel like if you knew how to do it, and were comfortable in doing it, a regular person wouldn’t hesitate to jump in and help.”
“It’s critical,” Rossman said. “When help is on the way, having that training and knowing how to respond in an emergency is crucial. It’s the ability to act in those situations. Those moments matter, between the time of a cardiac incident and medical personnel getting on the scene. It makes a huge difference.”
American Red Cross CPR training is available so community members can be like Brandon. Rossman said last year, 54,000 individuals from Buffalo to Binghamton took emergency training from the Western New York Chapter.
To find local first aid and CPR training, people can go to Redcross.org and enter a zip code. Rossman said hands-only CPR training only involves chest compressions, while full CPR includes learning rescue breathing. Training in using an AED device is also available.
