10-Years of Service
Paramedic & Assistant Supervisor, Reserve Coordinator, FTO

Starting from left, classmate Lisa Benavante, Ada County Paramedic, Justin Raney, School Nurse, Barb Thomas and patient Casey Robinson.

Boise- 18 year-old Casey Robinson feels lucky to be alive, he recently suffered from a severe asthma attack that nearly took his life.  The reason he is here today is because of his school nurse Barb Thomas. 

Like any other day Casey was enjoying the sun, playing frisbee at this High School.  "I went for a long pass, then I stopped breathing all together", say Casey.  His classmates surrounded him, one student ran to get the school nurse.  Thomas called 911 and ran to the field to find Casey lifeless, lying on the athletic field.  She knew she had to administer CPR.  A classmate of Casey's, Lisa Benavante had just learned CPR in her health class and she jumped into help.  Lisa did compressions while Thomas did breaths.  "I was just in the right place at the right time," says Benavante.  Together they saved Casey's life. 

In 22 years as a school nurse this was the first time Thomas had ever performed CPR.

10-Years of Service
Paramedic & Assistant Supervisor, Reserve Coordinator, FTO

Starting from left, classmate Lisa Benavante, Ada County Paramedic, Justin Raney, School Nurse, Barb Thomas and patient Casey Robinson.

Boise- 18 year-old Casey Robinson feels lucky to be alive, he recently suffered from a severe asthma attack that nearly took his life.  The reason he is here today is because of his school nurse Barb Thomas. 

Like any other day Casey was enjoying the sun, playing frisbee at this High School.  "I went for a long pass, then I stopped breathing all together", say Casey.  His classmates surrounded him, one student ran to get the school nurse.  Thomas called 911 and ran to the field to find Casey lifeless, lying on the athletic field.  She knew she had to administer CPR.  A classmate of Casey's, Lisa Benavante had just learned CPR in her health class and she jumped into help.  Lisa did compressions while Thomas did breaths.  "I was just in the right place at the right time," says Benavante.  Together they saved Casey's life. 

In 22 years as a school nurse this was the first time Thomas had ever performed CPR.