Defibrillators

Arnold, the team's medical director who has an internal medicine practice in Plano, said medical research shows that people who survive major cardiac arrest are those who were resuscitated in the field before paramedics arrived.

"I put this as a high priority for our church," Dr.

Arnold said.

"We've got a very well-trained team now." Bob Wilhite of Carrollton is an usher in the church who helped enlist people for the training.

"You never know, and time is of the essence until the 911 people get there," Mr.

Wilhite said.

"It's crucial.

To me, it's very meaningful if we can help people." Jim Bieroth, a first responder who drives people from the parking lot to the front of the church on Sunday mornings, said the program is long overdue.

"I see it as a priority need for not only our church but other churches as well," said Mr.

Bieroth, who lives in Carrollton.

Ms.

Kelley began teaching CPR classes in 1989 and has been a nurse for 12 years.

"I love being a nurse, but my passion is teaching CPR," the Plano resident said.

That passion was born out of grief.

Her father died after suffering a heart attack more than three decades ago when he was 55 years old.

"In 1976, there was no 911, and not a lot people were trained in CPR," she said.

Watching her mother blame herself for not knowing what to do in that critical moment and living with her own grief helped to carve out the path Ms.

Kelley would take in life.

She said she ...

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