Smithtown Acura Donates Life-Saving CPR Units to the Selden Fire Department

John J. Flanagan

January 27, 2016

Smithtown Acura presented a CPR Resusci Anne training unit to the Selden Fire Department today at the dealership at 780 Middle Country Rd, Saint James, New York.  Smithtown Acura is a member of the Greater New York Automobile Dealers Association (GNYADA) which administers the CPR donations on behalf of the National Automobile Dealers Association Charitable Foundation.  New York State Senator John Flanagan supported the event.

“It is a great honor to present this state-of-the-art CPR equipment to our local fire department.  It will go to train first responders and help save the lives of countless area residents,” said Smithtown Acura owner Robert Certilman.

“Thank you to the men and women of Smithtown Acura for donating this life-saving device to the Selden Fire Department.  Led by Mr. Certilman, Smithtown Acura’s selfless action will better equip the brave volunteers of the SFD as they work to keep our residents safe.  Thank you as well to the Greater New York Automobile Dealers Association for coordinating this campaign and for their efforts throughout the state.  Their leadership is truly appreciated,” stated Senate Majority Leader John Flanagan.

The donation is part of the National Automobile Dealers Association’s community outreach program.  NADA’s program is administered locally by GNYADA.  The units allow personnel to train area residents on the correct way to provide cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), allowing those trained to save the lives of countless people who suffer heart attacks and are in need of immediate attention.  Nationwide, since 1975, franchised automobile dealers have donated thousands of manikins worth more than $4 million on which more than two million people have been trained. 

New-car dealers throughout the country devote much of their time and money to charities and other organizations that enrich the lives of people in their communities.  In cities across the country, tens of thousands of citizens have been taught how to provide CPR on training units donated by new-car dealers because of this program.  CPR training units help save lives and give comfort and security to those trained.

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 About GNYADA

Headquartered in Whitestone, Queens, the Greater New York Automobile Dealers Association (GNYADA) represents over 400 franchised automobile dealerships in the metro area of New York, selling more than 550,000 new and used cars each year.  Collectively, they inject $39.6 billion into the economy while helping to sustain a workforce of over 65,000.  GNYADA also owns and operates the Center for Automotive Education & Training, and the New York International Automobile Show.  The Association opened its doors in 1910 and has continued to serve the needs of the industry ever since.